NIP: Verdict for Stanišić and Simatović is significant because it verifies Serbia's role in the aggression against BiH

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The first-instance verdict against Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović, who were convicted for aiding and abetting crimes in the area of Bosanski Šamac, is significant from the aspect of establishing Serbia's responsibility for the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but from the victims' perspective it can be considered only partial justice, according to the People and Justice party.

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, tasked with concluding trials that were under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, imposed a shamefully low sentence on Franko Simatović and Jovica Stanišić, states the reaction from People and Justice.

„It is shameful that Simatović and Stanišić were sentenced to only 12 years each, and only for crimes in the area of Bosanski Šamac, while other cities that were subjected to brutal aggression were omitted from this verdict. We hope that in the appeals process, the prosecution will insist that Simatović and Stanišić also answer for crimes in other cities and receive a more appropriate prison sentence,“ the reaction from People and Justice states.

This party points out that even such a flawed verdict is extremely significant when discussing the establishment of the historical truth about the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

„Although Serbia's role in the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been confirmed in some other cases, it is highly significant that this verdict has verified it. This verdict confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina was subjected to a double aggression, i.e., that the state leaderships of Serbia and Croatia participated in a joint criminal enterprise. These verdicts have put an end to Serbia's responsibility for the aggression against our homeland, and this verdict is especially important
when we recall that Carla del Ponte protected some key documents that cannot be used in court cases, which prove the responsibility of the political and military leadership of Serbia for aggression and genocide. Likewise, due to the fact that the possibility of revising the lawsuit against Serbia was previously destroyed, this speaks to the effort of world powers who decide the fates of peoples to try, together with domestic traitors, to amnesty Serbia for aggression and genocide,“ the statement from People and Justice adds.

Respecting the verdicts of international courts is an important foundation for building a better future in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, People and Justice adds. 

„Respecting this and other verdicts of international courts and accepting responsibility by the state leadership of Serbia is the path towards building a better future in these areas. Unfortunately, we are witnessing that the political leadership of Serbia and the BiH entity of RS deny the verdicts and historically established truths, provide refuge to convicted war criminals such as Novak Đukić, and rehabilitate ideologies that served as the basis for genocide, such as the Chetnik one. That is not a path that can lead us forward, but rather a call to persevere in building institutions that are key to the survival of the people and the state,“ the statement from People and Justice concludes.