HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------Former Yugoslav Army Chief Dragoljub Ojdanic Sent to The Hague
Text: Former Yugoslav Army Chief Dragoljub Ojdanic Sent to The Hague
(Indicted for crimes during Kosovo war) (610)
The former chief of the general staff of the Yugoslav army, Dragoljub Ojdanic, indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), will make his first appearance before the court on April 26.
He surrendered April 25 and was immediately transferred to The Hague from Serbia.
Ojdanic has been charged on the basis of both individual and superior criminal responsibility for executing "a campaign of terror and violence directed at Kosovo Albanian civilians" between January 1, 1999 and June 20, 1999 in an effort to expel them from the province.
Following are ICTY press releases on his transfer and his appearance before the court:
(begin text)
International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia Press Release JL/P.I.S./672e The Hague, 25 April 2002
TRANSFER OF DRAGOLJUB OJDANIC TO THE HAGUE
On 25 April 2002, Dragoljub Ojdanic was transferred from Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), to the Detention Unit of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague.
Dragoljub Ojdanic is charged in an amended Indictment, confirmed on 29 October 2001. It alleges that, between 1 January 1999 and 20 June 1999, forces of the FRY and Serbia acting at the direction, with the encouragement, or with the support of the four accused, Milan Milutinovic, Nikola Sainovic, Vlajko Stojiljkovic and Dragoljub Ojdanic, executed a campaign of terror and violence directed at Kosovo Albanian civilians. At all times relevant to this Indictment, Dragoljub Ojdanic held the post of Chief of General Staff of the Yugoslav Army (VJ).
It is alleged that the operations targeting the Kosovo Albanians were undertaken with the objective of expelling a substantial portion of the Kosovo Albanian population from Kosovo in an effort to ensure continued Serbian control over the province. The Indictment goes on to describe a series of well-planned and coordinated operations undertaken by the forces of the FRY and Serbia.
Approximately 800,000 Kosovo Albanian civilians were expelled from the province by their forced removal and subsequent looting and destruction of their homes, or by the shelling of villages. Surviving residents were sent to the borders of neighbouring countries. En route, many were killed, abused and had their possessions and identification papers stolen. Furthermore, specific massacres allegedly committed by Serb forces in places such as Dakovica/Gjakovė, Suva Reka/Suharekė, Racak/Reēak, Bela Crkva/Bellacėrke, Mala Krusa/Krushė e Vogėl, Velika Krusa/Krushė e Madhe, Padaliste/Padalishtė, Izbica/Izbicė, Vucitrn/Vushtrri, Dubrava/Dubravė Prison complex, Meja/Mejė and Kacanik/Kacanik are listed in the Indictment.
Charges
The Indictment charges Dragoljub Ojdanic, on the basis of individual criminal responsibility (Article 7(1) of the Statute) and superior criminal responsibility (Article 7(3) thereof) with:
-- one count of violations of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 of the Statute - murder),
-- four counts of crimes against humanity (Article 5 thereof - deportation; murder; persecutions on political, racial or religious grounds; other inhumane acts)
The date and time for the initial appearance of Dragoljub Ojdanic will be announced in due course.
(end text on transfer)
(begin text on court appearance)
International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia Press Advisory JL/P.I.S./PA049 The Hague, 25 April 2002
INITIAL APPEARANCE OF DRAGOLJUB OJDANIC TO TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2002
Please be informed that the initial appearance of Dragoljub Ojdanic will take place on Friday 26 April 2002 at 14.30 in Courtroom I before Judge Patrick Robinson.
All media are welcome to attend. For further information please call: 0031 70 512 5343/5356.
(end text on court appearance)
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) NNNN
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