OSCE Head of Mission welcomes the arrest of Radovan Stanković

SARAJEVO, 23 January 2012 – The Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Fletcher M. Burton, welcomed today the arrest of Radovan Stanković, a convicted war criminal and fugitive at large.

"I am encouraged that local authorities took the necessary steps that led to his apprehension," said Burton. "It is crucial for stability and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region that those responsible for crimes against humanity are held accountable and brought to justice."

"Stanković's  arrest is an important step forward in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and that justice is seen to be delivered in all parts of BiH. We expect no less."

The ICTY transferred criminal proceedings against Stanković to the BiH Court in 2005, pur-suant to the 11bis mechanism, which allowed the transfer of middle and lower level indictees from the ICTY to the national jurisdictions of the countries of the former Yugoslavia for trial. All such proceedings were monitored by the OSCE Mission to BiH upon the request of the ICTY's Office of the Prosecutor.

The mechanism is viewed as a success both in terms of assisting the ICTY Completion Strategy and demonstrating that the BiH Court and Prosecutor's Office have the necessary inde-pendence, professionalism and capacity to handle complex war crimes proceedings in a fair and efficient manner.

Stanković was tried before the BiH Court and found guilty for crimes against humanity and sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment. In May 2007, just a few months after the second in-stance verdict was issued, Stanković escaped and remained at large until 21 January, when he was apprehended by authorities in Foča.