SUD BOSNE I HERCEGOVINE СУД БОСНЕ И ХЕРЦЕГОВИНЕ COURT OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Case No.: X-KR-05/24-1 Date: Delivered 29 July 2008 Published 4 February 2009 Before: Judge Hilmo Vučinić, Presiding Judge Paul Melchior Brilman Judge Shireen Avis Fisher PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA v. PETAR MITROVIĆ FIRST INSTANCE VERDICT Counsel for the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mr. Ibro Bulić Mr. Kwai-Hong Ip Counsel for the Accused Petar Mitrović: Mr. Todor Todorović Ms. Vesna Tupajić-Škiljević TABLE OF CONTENTS VERDICT .................................................................................................................................7 I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY .........................................................................................................9 II. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS OF EVIDENCE.......................................................................11 A. Generally......................................................................................................................11 B. Credibility of S4...........................................................................................................12 1. Plea Agreements and Immunity Generally .........................................................12 2. Discrepancies between Investigative Statements ................................................14 3. Credibility of Facts ................................................................................................16 III. SUMMARY OF EVENTS ......................................................................................................17 A. Background and Summary of Events .......................................................................17 1. Preparation for Attack on Srebrenica .................................................................17 2. Attack on Srebrenica and Aftermath...................................................................18 3. Participation of RS MUP Units in the Aftermath...............................................21 4. Widespread and Systematic Attack .....................................................................23 5. Structure of the 2nd Šekovići Detachment............................................................24 B. Operations of the 2nd Šekovići Detachment and the 3rd Skelani Platoon...............25 1. 10 July – 11 July.....................................................................................................25 2. 12 July .....................................................................................................................26 3. 13 July: Sandići Meadow.......................................................................................27 4. 13 July: Kravica Warehouse.................................................................................28 5. 14 July – 15 July.....................................................................................................31 C. The Execution at the Kravica Warehouse ................................................................33 IV. LAW OF GENOCIDE ...........................................................................................................43 A. Elements of the Crime ................................................................................................43 B. Actus Reus ....................................................................................................................45 C. Mens Rea ......................................................................................................................45 1. Intent to Kill ..........................................................................................................46 2. Genocidal Intent.....................................................................................................47 a. “Aim” (“Intent”).................................................................................................47 b. “to Destroy” .......................................................................................................48 Case No. X-KR-05/24-1 2 29 July 2008 c. “In Whole or in Part” .........................................................................................48 d. “A national, ethnical, racial or religious group”................................................49 D. Proof of Genocidal Intent...........................................................................................49 E. Findings on Protected Group.....................................................................................50 1. The Accused knew that the Victims of the Killings at the Kravica Warehouse were Bosniaks from Srebrenica............................................................50 2. The Bosniaks of Srebrenica were a “Part” of a “Protected Group”.................51 V. GENOCIDAL PLAN AND CONTEXT – THE “LIBERATION” OF SREBRENICA ......................54 A. The “Liberation” of Srebrenica.................................................................................54 B. Phase One: Military Takeover of Srebrenica...........................................................55 C. “The Second Part”: Phase Two – Eradication of the Bosniaks..............................58 1. The Role of the Security and Intelligence Organs in Phase Two ......................60 2. The Role of the MUP forces in Phase Two ..........................................................61 D. Phase Two: Eradication of Bosniaks – Forcible Transfer.......................................62 1. Preparation for the Transfer Plan........................................................................62 2. The Deception.........................................................................................................64 E. Phase Two: Eradication of Bosniaks – Killing of the Men......................................66 1. Preparation for the Killing....................................................................................66 2. The Killing Plan: 12 July 1995..............................................................................69 a. The Killing Plan: Potočari..................................................................................70 b. The Killing Plan: The Column...........................................................................73 3. The Killing Plan: 13 July 1995..............................................................................78 a. Killing ................................................................................................................78 i. Ambush, Shelling, and Murder.....................................................................78 ii. Organized Multiple Killings........................................................................78 b. Induced Surrender..............................................................................................79 c. Transfer and Collection for Execution...............................................................80 d. Simultaneity .......................................................................................................80 4. The Killing Plan: 14 July – 19 July 1995 .............................................................81 5. No Deviation from the Killing Plan......................................................................82 F. Phase Two: Eradication of Bosniaks – The Decision to use the MUP Special Police to Implement the Plan Came From the Top .........................................84 1. The Order to Use the MUP Special Police came “From the Top” ....................85 2. Importance of the MUP Special Police ................................................................86 3.The Mission of the MUP came “From the Top” ..................................................88 a. Civilian Structures..............................................................................................88 b. Military Structures .............................................................................................89 Case No. X-KR-05/24-1 3 29 July 2008 4. Activities of the MUP were known “To the Top” ...............................................90 5. The Killings at Kravica were Consistent with the Plan “By the Top”..............92 G. Genocide was Committed in Srebrenica in Accordance with this Plan.................93 VI. THE ACCUSED – GENOCIDAL INTENT ..............................................................................96 A. The Accused knew the Basic Elements of the Genocidal Plan................................96 1. Timing .....................................................................................................................98 2. Content....................................................................................................................98 a. Content: Liberation of Srebrenica......................................................................98 i. Liberation of Srebrenica meant the Eradication of the Bosniaks .................98 ii. Eradication of the Bosniaks meant Killing the Men and Forcibly Transferring the Women, Children and Elderly ..............................................99 b. Content: The Order for Redeployment of the Platoon to Srebrenica to Assist in the Liberation came From the Top........................................................100 c. Content: The Details of the Detachment’s Part in the Liberation of Srebrenica were not to be Talked About..............................................................100 3. Manner..................................................................................................................101