Samardžija, Marko fr

Country of proceedings: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Context of crimes: former Yugoslavia
Date: 2005 - 2008
Keywords: Crimes against humanity

Case No.: X-KR-05/07

Court documents
13-09-2005 - Indictment
03-11-2006 - First instance verdict
27-04-2007 - Appelate Division: decision ordering retrial
15-10-2008 - Second Instance verdict

Presentation of the case
Marko Samardžija was the commander of the 3rd Company of the Sanica Battalion within the 17th Light Infantry Brigade. It is alleged that on 10 July 1992, Marko Samardžija ordered that all Bosniak population from the settlement of Brkići (Ključ municipality) leave their houses, and then separated men from women and children. Men over 18 and under 60 were taken to the elementary school in the village of Biljani, where they were subsequently killed in groups of 5 to 10.

On 3 November 2006, the Trial Panel of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina found Marko Samardžija guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 26 years’ imprisonment. On 27 April 2007, the Appellate Panel rendered a decision revoking the Trial Panel’s verdict and ordering a retrial before the Appellate Panel. On 15 October 2008, the accused was found guilty of crimes aganst humanity and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

Case information
Case Information sheet

Press releases
25-05-2007 - Verdict in the Marko Samardžija case revoked
03-11-2006 - Marko Samardžija convicted and sentenced to 26 years imprisonment
30-10-2006 - Verdict to be handed down in the case of Marko Samardžija