Swede on trial for war crimes in Bosnia

Proceedings opened against a Swedish national for war crimes committed when he served as a Bosnian army volunteer.

Izvor: DPA

Friday, 10.11.2006.

19:13

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Swede on trial for war crimes in Bosnia

Arklov's trial is reportedly the first of its kind in Sweden, and Tamm said the outcome could give legal guidance to possible future cases even though Arklov's jail-term cannot be extended.

In interviews on the eve of the trial, Arklov has admitted to many of the alleged crimes including threatening and assaulting victims when he served as a volunteer with Bosnian-Croatian forces in 1993.

His laywer said that he was a changed person, and wanted a clean break with his past. While in prison Arklov has begun to study history and sociology.

Arklov was sentenced in Bosnia in 1995 to a 13-year jail term, but the sentence was later reduced to eight years, taking into account that he was only 20 at the time.

A few months later he returned to Sweden under the terms of a prisoner exchange, and was later released owing to lack of evidence.

Although Liberian-born - as a boy he was adopted by Swedish parents - he was part of a neo-Nazi group that 1999 robbed a bank in southern Sweden, and shot two police officers who had set up a road block.

Arklov and his two associates were sentenced the following year, although all three denied shooting the officers. In 2001, however Arklov said he had fired at the officers.

The war crimes probe was re-opened in May 2004 after one of his former victims who lives in Sweden approached authorities.

Several former victims were slated to testify via video-link from Bosnia during the trial that was due to last through early December.

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