Vojin Pavlović sentenced to two and a half years in prison for justifying genocide and glorifying Ratko Mladić

(Patria) - The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has, in a first-instance verdict, sentenced Vojin Pavlović to a unified sentence of two and a half years in prison for inciting national, racial, and religious hatred, discord, and intolerance.

Pavlović was convicted because on March 10, 2023, at the intersection above the traffic lights in Bratunac, he displayed a banner with the image of former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska, Ratko Mladić, bearing the message "Happy birthday, live long and prosper".

The verdict states that Pavlović, as the president of the Association "Istočna alternativa" (Eastern Alternative) and a resident of Bratunac, was aware that by the said act he was glorifying Ratko Mladić, who was convicted of genocide and other war crimes by an international court.

He was also found guilty of approving and attempting to justify the genocide in Srebrenica by organizing a gathering in Bratunac on July 11, 2023, for which he produced posters stating "July 11 - Day of the Liberation of Srebrenica; Thank you to the Army of Republika Srpska".

He pasted the posters in the area of the municipality of Bratunac, which borders Srebrenica.

By the Court's decision, Pavlović is obliged to cover the court costs.

Pavlović and his defense attorney were not present at the pronouncement of the verdict.

Two indictments were filed against Pavlović, and the cases were merged into one in August last year.

The trial of Pavlović began on April 1 last year.

An appeal to the Appellate Panel of the Court of BiH is permitted against this verdict, reports Detektor.ba.