Bosnia Seeks Arrest of Wartime Serb Commander Wanted for Trial

The Bosnian state court told BIRN on Friday that it has decided to ask Interpol to issue an international alert calling on states worldwide to arrest Milenko Zivanovic, who is wanted for trial for crimes against humanity against Bosniaks from Srebrenica in 1995.

Zivanovic, the wartime commander of the Bosnian Serb Army’s Drina Corps, failed to appear in court in Sarajevo three times for a plea hearing, as there have been problems with serving the summons to him in Serbia, where he resides.

The court was not informed about the reasons for the failed attempts to deliver the summons. However, Zivanovic is also currently on trial at Belgrade Higher Court on charges of committing crimes against Bosniaks from Srebrenica in 1995.

In December 2021, the Bosnian prosecution indicted Zivanovic for his alleged involvement in a widespread and systematic attack against the Bosniak civilian population in the UN-protected areas of Srebrenica and Zepa during July 1995.

During the attack, the Bosnian Serb Army and police displaced the Bosniak civilian population from these areas and seized and executed around 8,000 men and boys.

The indictment stated that Zivanovic, as the commander of the Drina Corps, planned and directed the activities of subordinate units within his area of responsibility.

A couple of weeks after he was indicted in Bosnia, Zivanovic was also indicted in Serbia. He is accused of ordering and participating in the forced relocation of the Bosniak civilian population from Srebrenica in July 1995.

Experts say the situation shows the dysfunctional relationship between prosecutor’s offices in Serbia and Bosnia, but also raises questions about Serbia’s motives in the case, as the charges against Zivanovic are somewhat less serious in Serbia.

Several witnesses have already been heard in Zivanovic’s ongoing trial at Belgrade Higher Court and next hearing is scheduled for September 22.