Milivoje Cirkovic Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

Cirkovic was pronounced guilty, as a member of the “Jahorina” Training Center with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, MUP RS, of having killed a Bosniak detainee, carrying out an order issued by a superior officer, in front of the Kravica Agricultural Cooperative on July 14, 1995.

“I would like to say that I am sorry for all the things I did on that day. I feel guilty. I am sorry and I would like to apologize to the family of the man I killed, although I do not know who he was,” Cirkovic said, addressing the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“On the basis of available evidence, including indictee Cirkovic’s admission, the Court determined that the indictee committed the crimes described in the State Prosecution’s indictment,” Trial Chamber Chairman Zoran Bozic said, pronouncing the verdict.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina ordered the indictee into custody, where he will be held until he is sent to a prison to serve out his sentence.

According to the verdict, Cirkovic is exempted from paying the trial costs. The injured parties have been advised to settle their legal and property claims by filing civil suits.

“When it made the decision concerning the sentence, the Court took into consideration the fact that the indictee did not come to the crime scene voluntarily, he expressed his regrets to the victims and he was young at the time,” Bozic said. He added that the indictee committed a grave crime, but had also contributed to establishing the truth and conducting trials for serious crimes in an expeditious manner.

Prosecutor Ibro Bulic, who concluded the guilt admission agreement with Cirkovic, said he very much appreciated his readiness to admit guilt and express regret.

“The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina considers that the sentence, agreed by the parties, can fulfill its purpose and the goal of punishing indictee Cirkovic,” Bulic said. Defence attorney Dusko Tomic said that Cirkovic was forced to take part in the war when he was 19 years old, adding he was “haunted” by the acts he committed.

“Cirkovic fled to Belgrade prior to the fall of Srebrenica, but he was arrested as a deserter and taken back to the battlefield. We consider the sentence is adequate, because this man is a victim as well,” Tomic said.

The parties have the right to file appeals, however they cannot appeal the part of the verdict pertaining to the sentence, but only the decision on trial costs and the settlement of property and legal claims.