The Accused   Biljana PLAVSIC, born on 7 July 1930 in Tuzla, municipality of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina Voluntary surrender: 10 January 2001 Transferred to ICTY: 10 January 2001 Initial appearance: 11 January 2001, pleaded "not guilty" to all counts Provisionally released: 6 September 2001 2 October 2002: pleaded "guilty" to one count of persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds, a crime against humanity. Trial Chamber Sentencing Judgement: sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment. Transferred to Sweden to serve the remainder of her sentence on 26 June 2003 Serving sentence   Momcilo KRAJISNIK See case IT-00-39

Biljana Plavsic was originally indicted together with Momcilo Krajisnik

The Indictment
Factual allegations:
The Amended Consolidated Indictment, submitted on 7 March 2002 pursuant to the Decision of the Trial Chamber dated 4 March 2002, generally alleges that, between 1 July 1991 and 30 December 1992, in order to secure control of various municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina which had been proclaimed part of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnian Serb leadership, including Momcilo Krajisnik, Biljana Plavsic and Radovan Karadzic, pursued a course of conduct involving the creation of impossible conditions of life, persecution and terror tactics in order to encourage non-Serbs to leave the area, deportation of those reluctant to leave, and the liquidation of others. From late March 1992, Bosnian Serb forces seized physical control of many of the municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina which had been proclaimed part of the "Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina".
It is alleged that Momcilo Krajisnik, a leading member of the Serbian Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDS) and a long-standing associate of Radovan Karadzic, was President of the Assembly of Serbian People in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 24 October until at least November 1995. From March 1992, Krajisnik was a member of the National Security Council of the so-called "Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina". He also served on the expanded Presidency of the "Serbian Republic" from the beginning of June 1992 until 17 December 1992. From about 30 November 1992, Krajisnik was a member of the Supreme Command of the armed forces of the Serbian Republic.
According to the Indictment, Biljana Plavsic, a leading member of the SDS and a close associate of Radovan Karadzic and Momcilo Krajisnik, was a member of the collective Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 18 November 1990 until April 1992. From 28 February 1992 until 12 May 1992, Biljana Plavsic became one of the two acting Presidents of the so-called "Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina". On 12 May 1992, she became a member of the three-member Presidency of the Serbian Republic and about 30 November 1992, she was a member of the Supreme Command of the armed forces of the "Serbian Republic".

Charges:
The Indictment charged the Accused as follows

Biljana Plavsic on the basis of individual criminal responsibility (Article 7(1) of the Statute) and/or, and/or, superior criminal responsibility (Article 7(3) of the Statute) with:

Two counts of genocide (Article 4 of the Statute of the Tribunal - genocide; and/or, complicity to commit genocide)
Five counts of crimes against humanity (Article 5 thereof - extermination; murder; persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds; deportation; alternatively, inhumane acts)
One count of violations of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 thereof - murder)

The Proceedings

On 2 October 2002, co-accused Biljana Plavsic pleaded guilty to one count of persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds, a crime against humanity. Following this, on 25 November 2002, the Trial Chamber ordered that the trial of Momcilo Krajisnik be severed from the sentencing proceedings for the accused, Biljana Plavsic.

From 16 until 18 December 2002, the Sentencing Hearing took place. The Sentencing Judgement will be rendered in due course.

Provisional release of Biljana Plavsic:
A hearing was held on 1 August 2001 at which the Government of the Netherlands, the Registrar of the Tribunal and the parties presented submissions on the motion for provisional release filed by Biljana Plavsic on 11 July 2001. During a further hearing on 29 August 2001, noting that there was no longer a dispute between the parties on the provisional release of Biljana Plavsic, the Trial Chamber ordered that the Accused be provisionally released to reside in the Republic of Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The written decision was issued on 5 September 2001 and Biljana Plavsic was provisionally released the following day.

On 2 October 2002, co-accused Biljana Plavsic pleaded guilty to one count of persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds, a crime against humanity. Following this, on 25 November 2002, the Trial Chamber ordered that the trial of Momcilo Krajisnik be severed from the sentencing proceedings for the accused, Biljana Plavsic. (see Press Release No 697).

The Sentencing hearing took place from 16 until 18 December 2002

Trial Chamber Sentencing Judgement:
The Trial Chamber rendered its Sentencing Judgement on 27 February 2003(see Judicial Supplement No. 40). Biljana Plavsic was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.(see Press Release No. 734).

On 26 June 2003, Biljana Plavsic was transferred to Sweden to serve the remainder of her sentence.

Trial Chamber III:
Judge Richard May (Presiding), United Kingdom
Judge Patrick Robinson, Jamaica
Judge O-gon Kwon, Korea

Counsel for the Prosecution:
Mr. Mark Harmon
Mr. Alan Tieger

Counsel for the Defence:
Mr. Robert Pavich
Mr. Eugene O’Sullivan