THE HAGUE -- The Hague Tribunal on Thursday acquitted of all charges former Serbian state security officials Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović.
Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug
Close the entire text of the article here
Stanišić and Simatović stood accused of crimes against non-Serb civilians in Bosnia and Croatia, in the period between 1991 and 1995.
The decision to free them of all charges was made by the majority of the Trial Chamber, Judge Michele Picard dissenting. The Chamber also ordered their immediate release.
Stanišić and Simatović were accused of having directed, organized, equipped, trained, armed and financed units of the Serbian State Security Service which murdered, persecuted, deported and forcibly transferred non-Serb civilians.
The Hague prosecution alleged that the two accused participated in a joint criminal enterprise.
But the Trial Chamber found that while those units committed the crimes of deportation, forcible transfer and murder, Stanišić and Simatović "cannot be held criminally responsible for these crimes."
The majority, Judge Picard dissenting, was unable to conclude that the accused shared the intent to further the common criminal purpose of the JCE.
The Chamber also did not conclude that Stanišić acted as liaison between Slobodan Milošević and Radovan Karadžić and Milan Martić, which, it was stated, were the main organizers of the JCE.
With the exception of Doboj and Bosanski Šamac, the Chamber did not find that the Special Operations Unit had committed crimes during its operations.
In their closing arguments, the prosecution sought life in prison for both defendants, while the defense asked the judges to acquit their clients.
Stanišić and Simatović were arrested on March 13, 2003, a day after the assassination of Zoran Đinđić, and extradited to the Hague Tribunal in May and June the same year.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia."
Good God Lenard, learn to spell and write. Your butchery of the English language is enough for the UN to call it genocide. How that passes B92's moderators is beyond me:
"We would like you to pay attention to spelling and grammar in the comments you wish to send. Comments written in a style lacking the basic elements of grammar will not be published..."
"Comments which include insults, indecencies, racial or ethnic hate messages and intolerance of any kind will not be published"
You break these and other rules of internet etiquette nearly every time you post something.
Love and mushy kisses,
The B92 Lenard Fan Club
(We Love Lenard's Antics, 31 May 2013 16:56)
"For me personally both Simatovic and Stanisic are scum so I'm not going to head off to Nikola Tesla airport or celebrate on Republic Square, as Croats did for Gotovina or their other 'heroes' returning from the Hague."
(bganon, 31 May 2013 12:11)
I'm sure they will be enough of people coming and celebrating, with Dacic standing in the first row of the welcome committee.
(Comm. Parrisson, 31 May 2013 14:42)
Don't worry Peggy Lenard is just a victim to his own emotions - unable to engage his brain.
Its made much worse by the fact that the Croatian media and public are outraged saying that nobody from the Serbian military / political leadership was indicted for what happened in Croatia. In other words, it suggests that there was no plan for a greater Serbia (involving Croatia), that all Serb war crimes in Croatia were not high level and not officially ordered and that what happened in Croatia looked more like a civil war than a war of aggression waged from outside. They have one last shot with Seselj... And most people know that the case against him isn't solid by any means.
Just when the Croats thought that their version of history (with the freeing of Gotovina) was to be accepted this verdict has smacked them in the face.
What they fail to understand is that the Gotovina (et al) verdict helped lower the burden of proof in other cases. They were actually celebrating the freeing of accused Serb war criminals when Ante came home.
For me personally both Simatovic and Stanisic are scum so I'm not going to head off to Nikola Tesla airport or celebrate on Republic Square, as Croats did for Gotovina or their other 'heroes' returning from the Hague.
(bganon, 31 May 2013 12:11)
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia."
I hope his Croatian colleague Josipovic congratulated him on this move and gave him some ideas on how to welcome those heroes at the airport. He has experience what to to with released alleged war criminals.
(Comm. Parrisson, 31 May 2013 09:59)
What's good for Gotovina and Markac but they are the good forces defending [link] civilians beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back.
===…==
I am really surprised that B92 has not found words like "stanic dragon fascist deranged Serbia" as offensive.
There is so much hatred in Lenard's heart that it must be hard being Lenard. I get angry at some of the people posting lies or venom here and I reply strongly but describing a country or it's people as satanic is way out there.This much hatred must really eat at a person so Lenard surely must have a very painful life.
(Peggy, 31 May 2013 05:33)
"... beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back ..."
"... mendioned gays with Slobo ..."
"...stinking oder a shame to humanity espesialy..."
Hey Lennie ... "It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own." Cicero, Marcus
(Roger7, 31 May 2013 04:38)
What's good for Gotovina and Markac but they are the good forces defending [link] civilians beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back. Those mendioned gays with Slobo are nothing but criminals of the highest stinking oder a shame to humanity espesialy a shame to Serbs/Serbia.
(Lenard, 30 May 2013 23:15)
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia." - Yes, it's always great that murderers for the State are set free, because that in essence absolves the State (Milosevic's Serbia and the SPS party). Like the case with the Croatian generals, this is a travesty of justice, and a simple political move - by a court that had sworn to achieve justice for the innocent victims of war crimes - the Hague has failed in many instances. But considering all the political influence that the Hague court was subjected to during its existence, it has done a decent job. Many of the war criminals that did commit hoffific crimes, are serving prison sentences - as for the criminals that were set free, there will be a greater judge than the ones at the Hague.
(winston, 30 May 2013 22:16)
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia." - Yes, it's always great that murderers for the State are set free, because that in essence absolves the State (Milosevic's Serbia and the SPS party). Like the case with the Croatian generals, this is a travesty of justice, and a simple political move - by a court that had sworn to achieve justice for the innocent victims of war crimes - the Hague has failed in many instances. But considering all the political influence that the Hague court was subjected to during its existence, it has done a decent job. Many of the war criminals that did commit hoffific crimes, are serving prison sentences - as for the criminals that were set free, there will be a greater judge than the ones at the Hague.
(winston, 30 May 2013 22:16)
Don't worry Peggy Lenard is just a victim to his own emotions - unable to engage his brain.
Its made much worse by the fact that the Croatian media and public are outraged saying that nobody from the Serbian military / political leadership was indicted for what happened in Croatia. In other words, it suggests that there was no plan for a greater Serbia (involving Croatia), that all Serb war crimes in Croatia were not high level and not officially ordered and that what happened in Croatia looked more like a civil war than a war of aggression waged from outside. They have one last shot with Seselj... And most people know that the case against him isn't solid by any means.
Just when the Croats thought that their version of history (with the freeing of Gotovina) was to be accepted this verdict has smacked them in the face.
What they fail to understand is that the Gotovina (et al) verdict helped lower the burden of proof in other cases. They were actually celebrating the freeing of accused Serb war criminals when Ante came home.
For me personally both Simatovic and Stanisic are scum so I'm not going to head off to Nikola Tesla airport or celebrate on Republic Square, as Croats did for Gotovina or their other 'heroes' returning from the Hague.
(bganon, 31 May 2013 12:11)
Good God Lenard, learn to spell and write. Your butchery of the English language is enough for the UN to call it genocide. How that passes B92's moderators is beyond me:
"We would like you to pay attention to spelling and grammar in the comments you wish to send. Comments written in a style lacking the basic elements of grammar will not be published..."
"Comments which include insults, indecencies, racial or ethnic hate messages and intolerance of any kind will not be published"
You break these and other rules of internet etiquette nearly every time you post something.
Love and mushy kisses,
The B92 Lenard Fan Club
(We Love Lenard's Antics, 31 May 2013 16:56)
"... beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back ..."
"... mendioned gays with Slobo ..."
"...stinking oder a shame to humanity espesialy..."
Hey Lennie ... "It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own." Cicero, Marcus
(Roger7, 31 May 2013 04:38)
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia."
I hope his Croatian colleague Josipovic congratulated him on this move and gave him some ideas on how to welcome those heroes at the airport. He has experience what to to with released alleged war criminals.
(Comm. Parrisson, 31 May 2013 09:59)
What's good for Gotovina and Markac but they are the good forces defending [link] civilians beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back.
===…==
I am really surprised that B92 has not found words like "stanic dragon fascist deranged Serbia" as offensive.
There is so much hatred in Lenard's heart that it must be hard being Lenard. I get angry at some of the people posting lies or venom here and I reply strongly but describing a country or it's people as satanic is way out there.This much hatred must really eat at a person so Lenard surely must have a very painful life.
(Peggy, 31 May 2013 05:33)
"For me personally both Simatovic and Stanisic are scum so I'm not going to head off to Nikola Tesla airport or celebrate on Republic Square, as Croats did for Gotovina or their other 'heroes' returning from the Hague."
(bganon, 31 May 2013 12:11)
I'm sure they will be enough of people coming and celebrating, with Dacic standing in the first row of the welcome committee.
(Comm. Parrisson, 31 May 2013 14:42)
What's good for Gotovina and Markac but they are the good forces defending [link] civilians beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back. Those mendioned gays with Slobo are nothing but criminals of the highest stinking oder a shame to humanity espesialy a shame to Serbs/Serbia.
(Lenard, 30 May 2013 23:15)
What's good for Gotovina and Markac but they are the good forces defending [link] civilians beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back. Those mendioned gays with Slobo are nothing but criminals of the highest stinking oder a shame to humanity espesialy a shame to Serbs/Serbia.
(Lenard, 30 May 2013 23:15)
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia." - Yes, it's always great that murderers for the State are set free, because that in essence absolves the State (Milosevic's Serbia and the SPS party). Like the case with the Croatian generals, this is a travesty of justice, and a simple political move - by a court that had sworn to achieve justice for the innocent victims of war crimes - the Hague has failed in many instances. But considering all the political influence that the Hague court was subjected to during its existence, it has done a decent job. Many of the war criminals that did commit hoffific crimes, are serving prison sentences - as for the criminals that were set free, there will be a greater judge than the ones at the Hague.
(winston, 30 May 2013 22:16)
What's good for Gotovina and Markac but they are the good forces defending [link] civilians beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back.
===…==
I am really surprised that B92 has not found words like "stanic dragon fascist deranged Serbia" as offensive.
There is so much hatred in Lenard's heart that it must be hard being Lenard. I get angry at some of the people posting lies or venom here and I reply strongly but describing a country or it's people as satanic is way out there.This much hatred must really eat at a person so Lenard surely must have a very painful life.
(Peggy, 31 May 2013 05:33)
Good God Lenard, learn to spell and write. Your butchery of the English language is enough for the UN to call it genocide. How that passes B92's moderators is beyond me:
"We would like you to pay attention to spelling and grammar in the comments you wish to send. Comments written in a style lacking the basic elements of grammar will not be published..."
"Comments which include insults, indecencies, racial or ethnic hate messages and intolerance of any kind will not be published"
You break these and other rules of internet etiquette nearly every time you post something.
Love and mushy kisses,
The B92 Lenard Fan Club
(We Love Lenard's Antics, 31 May 2013 16:56)
Serbian PM Ivica Dačić welcomed the verdict today and asserted that it was "of great significance for Serbia."
I hope his Croatian colleague Josipovic congratulated him on this move and gave him some ideas on how to welcome those heroes at the airport. He has experience what to to with released alleged war criminals.
(Comm. Parrisson, 31 May 2013 09:59)
"... beating satanik dragon fascist deranged Serbia back ..."
"... mendioned gays with Slobo ..."
"...stinking oder a shame to humanity espesialy..."
Hey Lennie ... "It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own." Cicero, Marcus
(Roger7, 31 May 2013 04:38)
"For me personally both Simatovic and Stanisic are scum so I'm not going to head off to Nikola Tesla airport or celebrate on Republic Square, as Croats did for Gotovina or their other 'heroes' returning from the Hague."
(bganon, 31 May 2013 12:11)
I'm sure they will be enough of people coming and celebrating, with Dacic standing in the first row of the welcome committee.
(Comm. Parrisson, 31 May 2013 14:42)
Don't worry Peggy Lenard is just a victim to his own emotions - unable to engage his brain.
Its made much worse by the fact that the Croatian media and public are outraged saying that nobody from the Serbian military / political leadership was indicted for what happened in Croatia. In other words, it suggests that there was no plan for a greater Serbia (involving Croatia), that all Serb war crimes in Croatia were not high level and not officially ordered and that what happened in Croatia looked more like a civil war than a war of aggression waged from outside. They have one last shot with Seselj... And most people know that the case against him isn't solid by any means.
Just when the Croats thought that their version of history (with the freeing of Gotovina) was to be accepted this verdict has smacked them in the face.
What they fail to understand is that the Gotovina (et al) verdict helped lower the burden of proof in other cases. They were actually celebrating the freeing of accused Serb war criminals when Ante came home.
For me personally both Simatovic and Stanisic are scum so I'm not going to head off to Nikola Tesla airport or celebrate on Republic Square, as Croats did for Gotovina or their other 'heroes' returning from the Hague.
(bganon, 31 May 2013 12:11)