Mile Mrkšić
Mile Mrkšić | |
---|---|
Born | Kozarac, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia | 1 May 1947
Died | 16 August 2015 Lisbon, Portugal | (aged 68)
Allegiance | SFR Yugoslavia Serbian Krajina FR Yugoslavia |
Service/ | Yugoslav People's Army Serbian Army of Krajina Armed Forces of FR Yugoslavia |
Rank | Lieutenant colonel General |
Unit | 1st Motorized Guards Brigade |
Commands held | Commander of the Serbian Army of Krajina |
Battles/wars | Yugoslav Wars |
Mile Mrkšić (
Biography
Mrkšić was born in Kozarac near Vrginmost on 1 May 1947.
After the battle of Vukovar, he was promoted to
Mrkšić was
Charges
- Five charges of crimes against humanity: article 5 of the ICTY Statute (persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds; extermination; murder; torture; inhumane acts)
- Three charges of violations of laws or customs of war: article 3 of the ICTY Statute (murder; torture; inhumane acts).
On 27 September 2007, the Trial Chamber found Mrkšić guilty of aiding and abetting the murder of civilians and prisoners of war at Ovčara, aiding and abetting their torture, and aiding and abetting the cruel treatment given there. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.[1] The verdicts caused indignation in Croatia, which had hoped for far more severe sentences. State-run radio called the outcome "shocking", while the Croatian prime minister said the verdicts were "shameful".[2]
Sentence
In August 2012, Mrkšić was sentenced to 20 years in prison to be served in the high security prison of Monsanto, Portugal. He died three years later on 16 August 2015, aged 68.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b "Mrkšić found guilty of aiding and abetting murders at Ovčara, and Šljivančanin guilty of mistreatment, Radić acquitted". The Hague: ICTY. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ a b Batty, David (27 September 2007). "Ex-Serb colonel gets 20 years for Vukovar war crimes". Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ "Serb Army officers sentenced in Vukovar mass murder case". New York Times. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ "Accurate fire on military targets, random targeting of civilians". Sense Agency. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ Croatian Serb war crimes suspect found dead, BBC News, 29 June 1998
- ^ Mile Mrkšić dies, jutarnji.hr; accessed 21 August 2015.
- ^ Mile Mrksic, a Serb Army Officer Convicted of War Crimes, Dies at 68, nytimes.com; accessed 11 March 2016.