Bosnian Serb War Criminal’s Appeal for Early Release Dismissed

The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague turned down Milomir Stakic’s request to be freed early, ruling he has not yet served the required two-thirds of his 40-year sentence for persecution, extermination and murder.

The president of the UN court, Carmel Agius, said in his decision, made on December 31, that as well as not being eligible to be considered for early release yet, Stakic “has not demonstrated any compelling or exceptional circumstances that might nevertheless warrant granting early release”.

The application for a remission was filed by France, where Stakic is serving his sentence. It argued that by May 7, 2019, Stakic had served half of his sentence, after which he could submit an application for early release according to French law.

But Agius’s decision said that according to the UN court’s rules, Stakic will only be eligible to apply for early release after serving two-thirds of his sentence in November 2027.

Stakic was the head of the municipal assembly and the local Serb-run Crisis Committee in the municipality of Prijedor during wartime. While he was in office, Bosniaks and Croats were expelled, imprisoned in detention camps, abused and killed.

The Hague Tribunal sentenced him to 40 years in prison in 2006.