Vujadin Popovic (IT-02-57)

The Accused Vujadin Popovic was born in Popovici, Sekovici municipality, Bosnia Hercegovina, on March 14, 1957. As a Lt. Colonel in the Bosnian Serb Army, VRS, he served as the Assistant Commander of Security for the Drina Corps while the corps and its constituent units were involved in the offensive against the Srebrenica enclave and the criminal operations that followed. He was transferred to tribunal’s detention unit on April 14, 2005.

The Indictment Popovic is charged with the following six counts: Genocide (punishable under Articles 4(3)(a) and 7(1) of the Statute of the Tribunal), or alternately Complicity to Commit Genocide (Articles 4(3)(e) and 7(1)); Extermination, a Crime Against Humanity (Articles 5(b) and 7(1)); Murder as a Crime Against Humanity (Articles 5(a) and 7(1)); and as a Violation of the Laws or Customs of War (Articles 3 and 7(1)); Persecutions, a Crime Against Humanity (Articles 5(h) and 7(1)); and of the Inhumane Act of Forcible Transfer, a Crime Against Humanity (Article 5(i) and 7(1)).

Proceedings The March 26, 2002 indictment was unsealed on October 21, 2002. He made his initial appearance on April 18, 2005, and pleaded not guilty.

Factual Allegations Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte alleges in her indictment that Popovic was involved in a Joint Criminal Enterprise to expel or kill the Muslim population of the Srebrenica enclave, and charges him with responsibility for the crimes committed by that enterprise. Popovic is named in the indictment as being present at several sites while crimes were being committed, and is charged with planning the deportation or transfer of large numbers of refugees and prisoners as well as being actively involved in the execution operations in some instances. These include the execution operations north of Zvornik, near Pilica, for which Popovic is alleged to have been involved in the procurement of fuel for vehicles needed in the execution process.

Relevant Issues None as yet.

Highlights of the Trial Case is in pre-trial stage.

Court Composition Trial Chamber III Judge Patrick Robinson, Presiding Judge O-Gon Kwon Judge Iain Bonomy

Initial Appearance Judge O-Gon Kwon

Pre-Trial Judge Iain Bonomy

Court Documents:

Indictment

IWPR Reports:

Briefly Noted