PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
BUREAU DU PROCUREUR

The Hague, 14 July 1997

STATEMENT BY THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FOLLOWING THE SENTENCE OF DUSKO TADIC

Today's sentence which has been imposed on DUSKO TADIC by the Tribunal's Trial Chamber number 2, marks a significant step in the work of the Tribunal. It is because of this significance that the Prosecutor considers it appropriate to make this brief statement following today's proceedings.

Tadic is the first person to be sentenced by this Tribunal following a trial which was fully contested by the accused. He has been sentenced in respect of his individual responsibility for his own criminal conduct. The Prosecutor, in expressing satisfaction with the sentences which have been imposed today, notes that the Trial Chamber has taken into account both the seriousness of each of the counts on which the accused was convicted and his participation in each of the offences.

The Prosecutor notes the very detailed and careful analysis that the Trial Chamber undertook in reaching its decision. The Prosecutor also agrees with the Chamber's characterisation of Dusko Tadic's criminal responsibility in comparison to those who controlled and directed the propaganda campaign and subsequent crimes that occurred in the Prijedor municipality and the Bosanska Krajina region, in particular the members of the Crisis Staffs, as found in Part IV of the judgement.

The victims who survived the crimes committed by Dusko Tadic will no doubt welcome the Tribunal's finding that he intentionally participated in the violent ethnic cleansing which was aimed at creating a greater Serbia and that he did so in a sadistic and brutal way. It should be remembered that the maximum sentence which can be imposed by the Tribunal is life imprisonment. A sentence of 20 years imprisonment, which was imposed today upon Dusko Tadic in respect of the persecution count, is a substantial penalty.

The work of the Tribunal is gaining momentum. Two separate trials are currently proceeding. Other accused are awaiting trial. The recent arrests of indicted accused has been a welcomed development and will ensure that the Tribunal will continue to fulfil that part of its mandate which involves the prosecution of persons who were responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law in the recent conflict in the former Yugoslavia. The Prosecutor will continue to take all available steps to bring other indicted accused persons to justice and calls for the continued support of the international community in achieving the goals of the Security Council when it created the Tribunal, namely to create a lasting and secure peace in the former Yugoslavia through the rule of law.