Foča rapist Dragan Zelenović to be released

The Hague Mechanism for International Tribunals has approved the release of Dragan Zelenović after he served two-thirds of his 15-year prison sentence for crimes committed in Foča, reports the Patria news agency.

Mechanism President Theodor Meron approved the early release of Zelenović – who spent ten years in prison – finding that he showed “some signs of rehabilitation and cooperated with the Prosecutor’s Office,” writes BIRN.

“Although the crimes for which he was convicted are very serious, the fact that he served over two-thirds of his sentence, that he partially rehabilitated himself, and that he cooperated with the prosecutor’s office are factors in favor of his release. The members of the Trial Chamber and other judges of the Mechanism agree with this decision,” Meron’s decision states.

Zelenović, a former member of the Army of Republika Srpska, pleaded guilty in 2007 to participating in the rape and torture of women and girls in Buk Bijela, the “Partizan” sports hall, and Karaman’s house near Foča.

He was transferred to serve his sentence in Belgium, and time spent in custody since August 2005 was credited toward his sentence.

In the decision on early release, Meron notes that the Belgian authorities submitted a report on Zelenović’s behavior in prison, stating that he is “a calm prisoner who respects the rules, guards, and other persons.”

“The report states that Zelenović’s attitude toward the crime is complex. He claims to repent for the crimes of his subordinates and thus assumes partial responsibility, but regarding the crimes that personally implicate him, Zelenović only admits to having had ‘various sexual relations,’ but regrets that he cannot remember the details,” Meron’s decision states.

Victims of the crimes in Foča say that Zelenović is one of those most responsible for the serious war crimes committed in that city.

Arrested in Russia where he was hiding

Dragan Zelenović was arrested in 2005 in Russia, where he was hiding from justice.

Regarding his wartime role in Foča, Bakira Hasečić, president of the Association “Woman – Victim of War,” once stated:

“Zelenović committed rapes, killings, abductions from which there was no return, and he particularly stood out in the rape of girls, young women, and women of all ages. That means girls aged twelve, fourteen, and sixteen.”