Captain Dragan sentenced to 15 years in prison for war crimes

The County Court in Split sentenced Dragan Vasiljković, better known as Captain Dragan, to a unified sentence of 15 years in prison, reports the Patria agency.

The proceedings lasted a year and 60 witnesses were examined. The accused was tried on three counts of the indictment, for crimes against prisoners of war and the civilian population from mid-1991 to early 1993.

Dragan Vasiljković, better known as Captain Dragan, presented his defense last week in Split at the end of the war crimes trial. Vasiljković refused to answer questions, and continues to claim he is innocent and that the entire proceeding was fabricated against him for chauvinistic reasons.

- This has nothing to do with war crimes committed by Serbs against Croats, this is an oppressive fascist persecution of a Serb by... Vasiljković began.

The judge, Damir Romac, reacted: "Do not insult. Choose your words."

- If you were to exclude the fascization of Croatia, this process would not exist, because this is exactly that. Anyone who followed the process must have come to such a conclusion - Vasiljković wanted to elaborate.

He is accused on three counts of war crimes during the war in Croatia. The first relates to the abuse of prisoners at the fortress in Knin.

Under the second count, he is charged with the deaths of two Croatian soldiers of unknown identity at a camp near Benkovac.

The third count of the indictment relates to the attack on Glina in 1991. Vasiljković is accused of commanding the attack by JNA forces.