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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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National Council for Cooperation surprised by Sljivancanin sentence

Belgrade, 5 May 2009

The National Council for Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) stated that it is surprised at the sentencing of Veselin Sljivancanin. The ICTY Appeals Chamber has upheld the convictions of Veselin Sljivancanin and Mile Mrskic and sentenced Sljivancanin to 17 years imprisonment. He was earlier sentenced to five years imprisonment. Mile Mrskic was initially sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and this decision was upheld by the Appeals Chamber.

According to a statement issued by the National Council, the Serbian people will find it difficult to comprehend the drastically harsher sentencing of Sljivancanin on the basis of the same evidence which was initially presented and this will further shake their confidence in the objectivity of the ICTY.

We consider that public opinion regarding this sentence will create difficulties in the process of confronting and coming to terms with the past for countries of the region, states the National Council.

We do not intend to dispute the gravity of the Vukovar war crimes in 1991, for which individuals found directly responsible are being tried by Serbian courts.

Despite the dissatisfaction caused by certain ICTY rulings Serbia is aware of its obligations and will continue to work to conclude cooperation with the Hague tribunal because this is in the best interest of Serbia.

However, the National Council will insist on its initiative to make it possible for those sentenced by the ICTY to serve prison terms within their respective countries.