Slavuljica Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

After accepting Slavuljica’s guilt admission agreement, the state court found him guilty of participating in attacks in the Teslica area as well as the unlawful deprivation of liberty and murder of 28 civilians on Mount Borje in the municipality of Teslic in June 1992. Slavuljica was a former member of the Mice paramilitary formation.

“The defendant admitted the crimes charged upon him under the indictment and agreed to be sentenced to between seven and nine years in prison,” chamber chairwoman Vesna Jesenkovic said.

When deciding upon the sentence, the court was aware of the gravity of crimes committed by the defendant, as well as the fact that no punishment can justify the loss and deprivation of life on discriminatory grounds.

Jesenkovic said the defendant demonstrated sincere regrets for committing his crimes. She said he admitted to having committed the crimes charged against him in 1992. The chamber took into account the fact that Slavuljica was 19 years old when he committed the crime, and also took his testimony given at the main trial into consideration when deliberating the sentence.

“The admission itself, as well as his sincere regrets and the fact that he was 19 have been considered mitigating circumstances by the court. The court thinks the eight year sentence will serve the purpose of punishment,” Jesenkovic said.

Prior to admitting his guilt, Slavuljica was charged along with Dragan Marjanovic, Sasa Gavranovic, Vitomir Devic, Zoran Sljuka and Dragomir Kezunovic.

Marjanovic was the commander of the First Squad of the military police of the Teslicka Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, while the other defendants were members of that Squad and, at the same time, members of the military portion of the Mice formation.

Slavuljica cannot appeal against this verdict.