Kordic, a former vice-president of the Croat Community of Herceg-Bosna, was indicted for war crimes committed against local Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) in central Bosnia in 1992-1994 period. Cerkez, a former commander of the Bosnian Croat Defence (HVO) troops in the area of Vitez, was also indicted for war crimes in central Bosnia. The ICTY trial chamber made their decisions in 2001.
Earlier this month, Cerkez was released from the Scheveningen detention centre of the UN tribunal, which was interpreted that the appeals chamber would change the trial chamber's decision in his case.
Both Cerkez and Kordic surrendered voluntarily to the tribunal on 6 October 1997.