Reuters AlertNet Lite - Bosnian Serb appeals against 15-yr jail sentence

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Bosnian Serb appeals against 15-yr jail sentence

25 May 2007 18:14:21 GMT
Source: Reuters

AMSTERDAM, May 25 (Reuters) - Former Bosnian Serb policeman Dragan Zelenovic has appealed against a 15-year jail sentence imposed by the U.N. war crimes tribunal for the rape and torture of Bosnian Muslims in the 1992-1995 war.

His lawyer said in a filing released by the tribunal on Friday that his sentence should be reduced because of mitigating factors, arguing that he cooperated fully and his admission of guilt had relieved his victims of the obligation to testify.

"The defence is proposing that the Appeals Chamber accept the appeal, make a correct assessment of the mitigating circumstances in the case where the Trial Chamber erred," Zelenovic's lawyer said.

Last month, the tribunal found Zelenovic, a 46-year former paramilitary leader, guilty of personally committing nine rapes of women in Serb detention, eight of which qualified as both torture and rape, and four of which were gang rapes.

His lawyer had argued for a sentence of 7-10 years, while prosecutors pushed for 10-15 years.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Topics

• International Humanitarian Law

• Women

MORE >>

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Bosnia-Herzegovina profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Annual report – ICRC boosts aid in face of growing conflict and displacement
ICRC - Switzerland

• Afghanistan: Afghan Red Crescent and ICRC help recover bodies
ICRC - Switzerland

• ICRC president visits Portugal
ICRC - Switzerland

• ICRC president visits Portugal
ICRC - Switzerland

• Caritas calls for humanitarian access in Lebanon
Caritas Internationalis

MORE >>

Latest news

• Bosnian Serb appeals against 15-yr jail sentence

• EU criticises Iran on rights ahead of nuclear talks

• Bosnian Serb war criminal escapes - media

• INTERVIEW-Alliance speeds up new vaccine use in poor countries

• Women's rights key to Africa AIDS crisis - study

MORE >>

Last updated:Fri May 25 18:15:20 2007