On 8 October 2008, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) confirmed the Trial Chamber’s conviction of Milan Martić on 16 counts of crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war for acts committed in the early nineties against Croats and other non-Serbs in Croatia.

Martić is one of the most senior individuals to be tried by the Tribunal. Between 1991 and 1995, he held several positions within the Autonomous Region (SAO) Krajina and the Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK) governments, including Minister of Interior, Minister of Defence, and President of the RSK.

The trial of Milan Martić started on 13 December 2005 and concluded on 12 January 2007.

Both parties appealed the Trial Chamber’s judgement

The Defence and the Prosecution both appealed the Trial Chamber I decision of 12 June 2007, in which Milan Martić was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment. The appeals hearing took place on 25 June and 26 June 2008.

The Appeals Chamber dismissed nine grounds of the Defence appeal and accepted two sub-grounds of the fifth ground of appeal relating to alleged crimes committed in four municipalities of Krajina. The Appeals Chamber granted the Prosecution’s sole ground of appeal, deciding that persons hors de combat could be victims of crimes against humanity.

Milan Martić will remain in the ICTY’s Detention Unit pending arrangements for his transfer to the state where he will serve out his sentence.

Milan Martić