Simatović, Franko fr

Franko Simatović was the commander of the Special Operations Unit of the Serbian State Security Service (Državna bedzbednost or DB). He commenced work with the DB in 1978 and remained there until 2001. Initially he worked in counter intelligence within the DB and then moved into the newly formed Intelligence Administration. From April 1991 to December 1995, Franko Simatović allegedly ordered, committed or otherwise aided and abetted the persecutions of Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats within the Serbian Autonomous District of Krajina, the Serb-controlled area of Croatia, as well as municipalities in northern and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). These persecutions included forcible transfer, deportation and murder of non-Serb civilians.

Together with Jovica Stanišić, Franko Simatović was initially indicted on 1 May 2003. Simatović is accused of participating in a joint criminal enterprise, whose alleged purpose was the forcible and permanent removal of non-Serbs from large areas of Croatia and BiH. He is charged on the basis of individual criminal responsibility with four counts of crimes against humanity and one count of violation of laws and customs of war. On 28 July 2004, the Trial Chamber granted the motion for provisional release of the accused, which was later confirmed by the Appeals Chamber. Simatović pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On 26 June 2008, the Appeals Chamber dismissed an appeal by the Prosecution against the decision granting provisional release of Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović.