Press Release (98)81 15 June 1998

Statement by the Secretary General of NATO, Dr Javier SOLANA, on SFOR's Action Against an Indicted War Criminal On 15 June 1998 SFOR detained Milorad Krnojelac indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He was a commander of the KP Dom prison camp. He is accused of beatings, murder, willful killing, willfully causing serious injury, cruel treatment, and inhumane acts towards prisoners in this camp during the period of April 1992 until October 1994. He is now being processed for transfer to the Hague. Details will be provided in due course by the operational commanders. This action was undertaken in accordance with SFOR's mandate which authorizes it to detain such persons when encountered in the course of its duties. This mandate was given to SFOR by the North Atlantic Council under authority contained in the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. SFOR will continue to carry out its mandate firmly and fairly and will not tolerate any behaviour by any party contrary to the Peace Agreement. This action by SFOR serves as yet another warning to all those indicted for war crimes who are still at large that they, too, will be brought to justice. Once again I call on them to surrender immediately to the ICTY. The parties to the Peace Agreement must also comply fully with their commitment to transfer indicted war criminals to the ICTY. SACEUR, as overall commander for SFOR, has kept me fully informed of this action. I should like to praise the SFOR troops and their commanders for their courage, professionalism and dedication in carrying out this action, which will contribute to the continued consolidation of the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.