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Press Release . Communiqué de presse
(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)
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APPEALS
CHAMBER
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CHAMBRE
D’APPEL
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The
Hague, 16 February 2001
JL/P.I.S./561-E
APPEALS
CHAMBER TO RENDER ITS JUDGEMENT IN THE CELEBICI CASE ON 20 FEBRUARY 2001
On
Tuesday 20 February 2001 at 3.30 p.m., the Appeals Chamber, consisting of Judge
Hunt (presiding), Judge Riad, Judge Nieto-Navia, Judge Bennouna and Judge Pocar
will render its Judgement in the Celebici case.
BACKGROUND
In
1992, Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian Croat forces took control of villages predominantly
inhabited by Bosnian Serbs within and around the Konjic municipality of central
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those persons detained during these operations were
held in a former Yugoslav National Army (JNA) facility in the village of Celebici,
the Celebici prison-camp, where detainees were killed, tortured, sexually assaulted,
beaten and otherwise subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment.
The
indictment, issued on 21 March 1996, charged four individuals with a variety
of crimes.
Zejnil
Delalic, who allegedly co-ordinated activities of Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian
Croat forces in the Konjic area from approximately April 1992 to at least September
1992 and was Commander of the First Tactical Group of the Bosnian Muslim forces
from approximately June 1992 to November 1992. His responsibilities included
authority over the Celebici camp and its personnel. Zdravko Mucic who
was allegedly commander of the Celebici camp from about May to November 1992;
Hazim Delic who was allegedly Deputy Commander of Celebici camp between
May and November 1992 and, after the departure of Zdravko Mucic, became Commander
of the camp until about December 1992; Esad Landzo who was allegedly
a guard at the Celebici camp from approximately May to December 1992.
THE
TRIAL CHAMBER’S JUDGEMENT
The
Trial of the four accused began on 10 March 1997. On 16 November 1998, Trial
Chamber II pronounced its Judgement.
Zejnil
Delalic was found not guilty on all charges and was released from the Detention
Unit immediately.
Zdravko
Mucic was found guilty on the basis of individual criminal responsibility
(Article 7(1)) for:
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Grave
breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions (Article 2 – wilfully causing great
suffering or serious injury to body or health; unlawful confinement of civilians),
and
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Violations
of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 – cruel treatment);
And
superior criminal responsibility (Article 7(3)) for:
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Grave
breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions (Article 2 – wilful killings; wilfully
causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health; torture; inhuman
treatment), and
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Violations
of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 – murders; cruel treatment; torture).
Mucic
was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
Hazim
Delic was found guilty on the basis of individual criminal responsibility
(Article 7(1)) for:
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Grave
breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions (Article 2 – wilful killing; wilfully
causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health; torture; inhuman
treatment), and
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Violations
of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 – murder; cruel treatment; torture).
Delic
was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Esad
Landzo was found guilty on the basis of individual criminal responsibility
(Article 7(1)) for:
Landzo
was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
THE
APPEAL
On
26 November 1998, the Prosecution filed appeals against the acquittal of Zejnil
Delalic and the sentence of Zdravko Mucic.
Zdravko
Mucic filed appeals against the judgement on 27 November 1998, Hazim
Delic on 23 November 1998 and Esad Landzo on 1 December 1998.
The
appeal hearing was held between 5 and 8 June 2000. The appeal Judgement will
be rendered on 20 February 2001 at 3.30 p.m. in courtroom I.
*****
All
media are invited to attend. The proceeding can also be followed in real audio
via the ICTY web-site: www.un.org/icty
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