7 July 2002

SFOR detains suspected war criminals Within a matter of days, NATO-led forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina have detained two suspected war criminals under indictment by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Miroslav Deronjic, accused of crimes against humanity and, in particular, for organising the massacre of over 60 Bosnian Muslim men from Glogova, was arrested on 7 July. Radovan Stankovic, also accused of crimes against humanity while he was a member of a Serb elite paramilitary unit, was arrested on 9 July. Both detainees have been transferred to The Hague where they will be tried for war crimes. "SFOR's two detentions this week serve as a warning. There is no place to hide for anyone accused by the Tribunal of these horrific crimes", stated Lord Robertson. "I call on all remaining fugitives, in particular Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, to surrender to the Tribunal." So far, 82 out of 103 persons indicted for war crimes by the ICTY have been brought to justice. Last June, SFOR also detained Darko Mrda, accused of war crimes, specifically for the massacre of 200 men. He has been transferred to The Hague. "Each fugitive sent to The Hague makes it easier to build a lasting peace in the Balkans" said Lord Robertson. SFOR, in line with its mandate authorising it to detain such persons, will continue to search for indicted war criminals. Additional information: NATO Press Release (2002)091: Statement by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson - 7 July 2002 Webmodule of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) Website of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)