Criminal Jovica Stanišić requested early release

(Patria) - Former head of the Serbian State Security Service (SDB) Jovica Stanišić, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals for crimes in six municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one location in Croatia, has requested early release and apologized for his crimes.

Stanišić's submission to the Mechanism states that the proceedings against him began with his voluntary surrender and first appearance before the ICTY in June 2003.

The request also states that as of March 10, 2026, Stanišić will have spent a total of approximately 3,650 days, or ten years, in detention, which represents two-thirds of his sentence.

"Stanišić is not seeking sympathy, but rather understanding and a little mercy. He is 76 years old and in poor health.

Early release would allow him a small but invaluable final period of life at home with his wife and son, and in his community.

Conversely, rejecting this request would most likely condemn him to a lonely death in a distant prison," the request stated.

His legal representatives stated that while the crimes committed within the joint criminal enterprise (JCE) in this case were undoubtedly serious, the acts for which Stanišić was convicted fall within the lower range of severity compared to individuals convicted on the basis of responsibility for a JCE before the Hague Tribunal.

"During the judicial proceedings, which lasted over 20 years, Stanišić was acquitted of most of the factual allegations in the indictment.

Consequently, the severity of the crimes for which he was convicted is reflected in a sentence that is only three years longer than his initial conviction for aiding and abetting, and is lower compared to most individuals convicted before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Mechanism for participation in a joint criminal enterprise," the request stated.

It also emphasizes that while Stanišić acknowledges the seriousness of his actions and their severe impact on victims, it is important to note that the gravity of these acts and the contribution for which he was convicted are at the lowest level compared to most other individuals granted early release.

The request includes Stanišić's statement in English, in which he says that for over 30 years he has refused to give interviews or engage in public political debates regarding the causes and consequences of the conflicts and crimes committed in the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia.

"That refusal of mine is a continuation of what I have been doing all along, trying to protect and preserve the SDB from zealous political figures and parties in Serbia.

My only ally in this was the Supreme Court of Serbia, to which I entrusted the decision-making regarding respect for human rights, the law, and the Constitution.

In this regard, it is important to emphasize that even before the war events, I never placed the interests of my people and religion above other peoples and religions in this region," he said.

Stanišić also stated that, although crimes were committed on all sides of the conflict, those that affected him most were the crimes committed by members of the Serbian people, especially those who justified them as "retaliation for crimes committed against my people in the past".

"I deeply regret this and apologize for my crimes, especially after the judgment rendered by the Mechanism after 20 years of judicial proceedings, regarding my participation in a joint criminal enterprise," his statement reads.

Stanišić also states that he respects and accepts the verdict.

"I believe that there is still a significant number of people - and not only among my people - who respect my contribution to the peaceful and civilized resolution of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia," Stanišić stated.

His legal representatives stated that Stanišić would respect any condition prohibiting him from any media or public and political statements regarding his crimes or any aspect of the conflict, and would act according to the Mechanism's instructions to promote peace and reconciliation.

"He has always fully accepted that Serbs committed crimes against innocent victims and has no intention of denying this truth now or in the future.

Indeed, he accepts that the crimes committed by Serbs were committed and that they represented a tragedy for Croatian and Bosnian victims, as well as for Serbia," his legal representatives clarified.

During his trial and detention, as explained, Stanišić exhibited exemplary behavior.

The request highlighted that Stanišić maintains a strong and long-standing relationship with his wife and son, and has preserved close and supportive ties with his closest relatives, which ensures his ability to return to a productive life, and that the Serbian Government has confirmed its readiness and capacity to assist in his reintegration and supervision under any conditions.

Given his current health condition, the objectives of his release are predominantly personal.

"Nevertheless, he remains willing and able to cooperate with international institutions and intelligence and security services to contribute his expertise in support of any peace and security efforts proposed by the Mechanism or the international community," it is stated.

It is also added that he is prepared to comply with the conditions related to his release, including, but not limited to, reporting obligations, movement restrictions, supervision measures, and refraining from contact with the media.

Stanišić was tried alongside Franko Simatović, former head of the Serbian SDB, also sentenced to 15 years in prison, and their verdict was delivered by the Appeals Chamber of the Mechanism in May 2023.