Request of criminal Lukić for early release rejected: Since 2017, no criminal has been released

(Patria) - The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Graciela Gatti Santana, rejected the request of war criminal Sredoje Lukić for early release.

Thanks to the continuous efforts of the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide and with the support of others, mostly local associations, and the conscientious work of the President of the IRMCT, Carmel Agius, as well as Gatti Santana, no convicted war criminal has been released on parole since 2017, which had been a standard procedure until then.

Recall, Lukić was sentenced in The Hague to 30 years in prison for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Višegrad.

“Although Lukić has served two-thirds of his sentence and therefore has the right to it, I consider that the request for early release should be rejected,” it is stated.

It is added that significant factors against his early release include the great severity of his crimes and his failure, as well as insufficient signs of rehabilitation. Furthermore, there is no evidence establishing the existence of compelling humanitarian reasons that would justify the request.

“For the reasons stated above, and based on Article 26 of the Statute and Rules 150 and 151 of the Rules, I hereby reject the Application,” it is stated.

Sredoje Lukić was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the commission of acts of persecution, inhumane acts, murder, and cruel treatment. Specifically, he was found guilty of beatings in the Uzamnica camp and for setting fire to a house in Pionirska Street.

It should be noted that, thanks to the continuous efforts of the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide and with the support of others, mostly local associations, and the conscientious work of the President of the IRMCT, Carmel Agius, as well as Gatti Santana, no convicted war criminal has been released on parole since 2017, which had been a standard procedure until then.