General Strugar released from Hague

Pavle Strugar, sentenced by the Hague to 7.5 years in prison for the shelling of Dubrovnik in 1991, was released today. The retired Yugoslav National Army (JNA) general was released after serving two-thirds of his sentence, according to a statement from the Hague. Tribunal President Patrick Robinson approved Strugar’s parole application submitted in January, which he is entitled to do under Court rules, and also in view of Strugar’s poor health. General Strugar released from Hague Robinson pointed out that Strugar’s health was deteriorating, which was the reason why he had served his entire sentence at the Hague’s custody unit in Scheveningen, and not been transferred to another country to serve his time, as is the practice with other convicts. The former JNA general was sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2005 because, as commander of the JNA’s 2nd Operative Group, he did nothing to prevent the shelling of Dubrovnik on Dec. 6, 1991, nor did he sanction those responsible. Both the defense and prosecution appealed against the first-instance sentence. Strugar, who pleaded not guilty before the court, was convicted on two of six counts: attacks on civil, religious and cultural-historical monuments, as well as violating the laws and customs of war. The Appeals Court found him guilty in June of attacks on civilian buildings and unjustified military destruction, but, in view of his poor health, commuted his sentence by six months to 7.5 years. Pavle Strugar (FoNet, archive)

General Strugar released from Hague

Robinson pointed out that Strugar’s health was deteriorating, which was the reason why he had served his entire sentence at the Hague’s custody unit in Scheveningen, and not been transferred to another country to serve his time, as is the practice with other convicts.

The former JNA general was sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2005 because, as commander of the JNA’s 2nd Operative Group, he did nothing to prevent the shelling of Dubrovnik on Dec. 6, 1991, nor did he sanction those responsible. Both the defense and prosecution appealed against the first-instance sentence.

Strugar, who pleaded not guilty before the court, was convicted on two of six counts: attacks on civil, religious and cultural-historical monuments, as well as violating the laws and customs of war.

The Appeals Court found him guilty in June of attacks on civilian buildings and unjustified military destruction, but, in view of his poor health, commuted his sentence by six months to 7.5 years.