ZAGREB, Sept 20 (Hina) - The Hague-based international war crimes tribunal has indicted a former Croatian armed forces chief-of-staff, General Janko Bobetko, for war crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war
on individual and superior responsibility for crimes committed in the Medak Pocket in September 1993.
ZAGREB, Sept 20 (Hina) - The Hague-based international war crimes
tribunal has indicted a former Croatian armed forces chief-of-
staff, General Janko Bobetko, for war crimes against humanity and
violations of the laws or customs of war on individual and superior
responsibility for crimes committed in the Medak Pocket in
September 1993. #L#
According to the indictment, the crimes were committed by the
persecution of residents, killing, looting and destruction of
property.
The indictment states that Bobetko had the central role in
planning, instigating, ordering and executing the Croatian
military operation in Medak Pocket, during which grave violations
of humanitarian law and acts against humanity had been committed.
The prosecutors say Bobetko by virtue of his high ranking position
as Chief-of-Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, had the power,
authority and responsibility to prevent or punish breaches of
military discipline and violations of international humanitarian
law and Crimes against Humanity, including by referral to
appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.
The prosecution states Bobetko had known of the criminal acts since
he had been informed of them by his subordinates, high ranking
Croatian Army commanders, and representatives of the international
community, but had not undertaken the necessary and reasonable
measures to prevent such acts or punish the perpetrators.
The indictment states that during the Medak Pocket operation, at
least 100 Serbs, including 29 local Serb civilians, were killed,
while other sustained grave injuries.
Many of the killed and wounded civilians were women and elderly
people. Croatian troops also killed at least five imprisoned Serb
soldiers, the indictment states. It also says that the local
population's property was destroyed and looted in the operation.
The indictment, which was issued on August 26, and signed by judges
on September 17, was sealed until Friday night, when the Hague
tribunal published its contents.
(hina) lml