The Hague, 7 May 1997 (RFE/RL) - A U.N. war crimes tribunal at The Hague today convicted Bosnian Serb prison guard Dusan Tadic of 11 out of 31 atrocity charges. But the three-judge panel stopped short of finding that his actions during the Bosnian war legally constituted murder.
In Sarajevo, a spokesman for Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic said that Bosnian Muslims were disappointed by the partial guilty verdicts.
But, spokesman Mirza Hajric said the convictions for crimes against humanity confirm accusations of the Bosnian government that the Bosnian Serb leadership organized atrocities during the war.
Hajric said the Bosnians hope that Tadic's punishment will be appropriate. The court is to sentence Tadic July 1. The Hague tribunal has no death penalty. The verdict was the first resulting from an international war crimes trial since Word War Two.
Tadic pleaded innocent to all charges, claiming he was a victim of mistaken identity. He was found guilty of charges of beatings and a broad charge of persecution, which included the killings of two policemen. His lawyer said he will appeal.
In Sarajevo, a spokesman for Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic said that Bosnian Muslims were disappointed by the partial guilty verdicts.
But, spokesman Mirza Hajric said the convictions for crimes against humanity confirm accusations of the Bosnian government that the Bosnian Serb leadership organized atrocities during the war.
Hajric said the Bosnians hope that Tadic's punishment will be appropriate. The court is to sentence Tadic July 1. The Hague tribunal has no death penalty. The verdict was the first resulting from an international war crimes trial since Word War Two.
Tadic pleaded innocent to all charges, claiming he was a victim of mistaken identity. He was found guilty of charges of beatings and a broad charge of persecution, which included the killings of two policemen. His lawyer said he will appeal.