Gligorević sentenced to ten years in prison for crimes against humanity against Bosniak women

(Patria) - The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued a first-instance verdict sentencing Borislav Gligorević to ten years in prison for multiple rapes committed in 1992 in Liplje near Zvornik.

He was found guilty of raping three women in Liplje as a member of the "White Eagles" unit, where around 400 Bosniak civilians were held from May 25 to June 2. He was convicted of crimes against humanity.

"He was aware that a widespread and systematic attack was underway," said Presiding Judge Davorin Jukić.

Exploiting the situation in which 400 civilians were detained and abused, as determined by the First Instance Chamber, the accused raped witness A-5 three times during one night. According to the verdict, victim A-2 was taken to a house by another soldier and raped, and Gligorević waited for him, asking if he was finished, and then he also raped her.

"The witness described the act of rape in detail, stating that she was exhausted and begged to be returned to her child," said Jukić.

The Chamber concluded that the accused was one of the soldiers who raped A-1.

"She stated that he was short, very young, and recognized the accused during the investigation and in court," said the Presiding Judge.

He stated that the victims' testimonies were convincing and clear. He added that the Chamber considered Gligorević's young age of 21 at the time of the crimes and his lack of prior convictions as mitigating circumstances, while the ruthlessness and the number of victims were considered aggravating circumstances.

The Chamber partially granted the victims' claim and ordered the accused to pay each of the three victims 10,000 marks in compensation for moral damages. Jukić explained that the claim was not fully granted because the trauma they experienced was not caused solely by the accused.

Gligorević's pre-trial detention, where he has been held since May 26, 2023, has been extended and will be credited towards his sentence.

An appeal against the verdict can be filed with the Appellate Chamber of the Court of BiH, BIRN BiH reported.