Today the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) expanded the scope of Pavle Strugar’s criminal responsibility for the shelling of Dubrovnik in 1991.

In 2005, the Trial Chamber found Strugar guilty of one count of attacks on civilians, and one count of destruction or wilful damage done to the UNESCO protected town of Dubrovnik in 1991. Strugar was convicted on the basis of his superior responsibility and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. Both the Prosecution and the Defence appealed the judgement.

On 17 July 2008, the Appeals Chamber convicted Strugar of two additional counts: the crime of devastation not justified by military necessity and the crime of unlawful attacks on civilian objects. The Appeals Chamber also extended Strugar’s criminal responsibility for his failure to prevent the shelling of Dubrovnik.

Although Strugar was convicted of additional counts on appeal, the Appeals Chamber found that these counts were based on the same criminal conduct and therefore did not add to the gravity of his crimes. Taking into consideration Strugar’s deteriorating health, the Appeals Chamber reduced Strugar’s sentence to seven and a half years’ imprisonment.

Press release
Summary of Judgement