Prosecutor Urges Punishment for Bosanska Krupa Expulsions

The prosecutor, Dzevad Muratbegovic, said in his closing arguments on Monday that he expected the appeals chamber to convict both defendants of war crimes committed during Bosnian Serb forces’ attacks on Bosanska Krupa in the north-west of the country in 1992.

“I hope you will appreciate the evidence presented and find them responsible,” said Muratbegovic.

He said he believed the defendants – one of whom later became a Bosnian Serb prime minister – took part in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at expelling the Bosniak population.

According to the indictment, Klickovic was the commander of the crisis headquarters of the Serb Municipality of Bosanska Krupa at the time, and Drljaca president of the temporary military court in Jasenica.

Klickovic became prime minister of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity Republika Srpska after the war.

The prosecutor said that attacks on Bosanska Krupa, which targeted civilians, began on April 21, 1992 and lasted until August that year.

At least 12 civilians were killed, some were held in inhumane conditions, while houses were robbed and burned down, he said.

“The attack was planned and high-intensity action coordinated. Defendant Klickovic knew about the attack. Despite not having committed a murder, he could have predicted it happening,” said Muratbegovic.

“Klickovic had a main role. He signed the order for the expulsion of the Bosniak population,” he said.

The prosecutor said the men had flouted their legal obligations to “prevent illegal actions” and “protect the population of the municipality of Bosanska Krupa”.

The first-instance verdict in November 2010 acquitted both men of charges that they participated in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at dividing the municipality of Bosanska Krupa and creating a territory which would be inhabited by a Serb majority.

In May 2012, the appeals chamber quashed the verdict and ordered a retrial.

The defence will present its closing arguments at the retrial on April 15.