Župljanin on way to Hague

War crimes suspect Stojan Zupljanin left Belgrade Airport today on a regular flight to Holland, where he will be delivered to the Hague Tribunal. Justice Minister Dusan Petrovic took the decision to extradite Zupljanin to The Hague yesterday on the basis of an agreement with the government. Zupljanin on way to Hague The Belgrade District Court yesterday turned down the suspect’s lawyer’s appeal against extradition. Zupljanin was arrested on June 11 in Pancevo, and after his arrest he denied his identity, claiming to be Branislav Vukadin. A DNA analysis was conducted to establish his identity, and he was remanded in custody for 30 days. On June 13, the war crimes suspect refused to accept his indictment during his appearance at the Special War Crimes Chamber before Judge Dragan Plazinic, and it was issued to him verbally. Zupljanin is accused of war crimes against Muslims and Croats in Bosanska Krajina in 1992. According to the indictment, as head of the Banja Luka Security Center, he was the highest-ranking police officer in the self-proclaimed Autonomous Region of Krajina. He is accused of 12 counts of persecution, extermination and murder, torture, harsh treatment, inhumane acts, deportation, and wanton destruction of villages and religious and cultural buildings. Zupljanin was born in 1951 in Bosnia-Hercegovina. He is married with two sons, who live in Banja Luka. With his arrest, three war crimes suspects remain at large— Ratko Mladic, Radovan Karadzic and Goran Hadzic. Stojan Zupljanin (B92, archive)

Župljanin on way to Hague

The Belgrade District Court yesterday turned down the suspect’s lawyer’s appeal against extradition.

Župljanin was arrested on June 11 in Pančevo, and after his arrest he denied his identity, claiming to be Branislav Vukadin. A DNA analysis was conducted to establish his identity, and he was remanded in custody for 30 days.

On June 13, the war crimes suspect refused to accept his indictment during his appearance at the Special War Crimes Chamber before Judge Dragan Plazinić, and it was issued to him verbally.

Župljanin is accused of war crimes against Muslims and Croats in Bosanska Krajina in 1992. According to the indictment, as head of the Banja Luka Security Center, he was the highest-ranking police officer in the self-proclaimed Autonomous Region of Krajina.

He is accused of 12 counts of persecution, extermination and murder, torture, harsh treatment, inhumane acts, deportation, and wanton destruction of villages and religious and cultural buildings.

Župljanin was born in 1951 in Bosnia-Hercegovina. He is married with two sons, who live in Banja Luka.

With his arrest, three war crimes suspects remain at large— Ratko Mladić, Radovan Karadžić and Goran Hadžić.