The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) remains a key priority confirmed High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák when he met with Serge Brammertz, the ICTY’s Chief Prosecutor last yesterday in Sarajevo.

“The Office of the High Representative and EU Special Representative will continue to provide its full support to International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia,” said Lajčák.

The apprehension and transfer of Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic to The Hague remains a primary objective of the international and domestic coalition coordinated by the High Representative and EU Special Representative.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative informed the Chief Prosecutor of the developments in the search for Radovan Stankovic who escaped from Prison in Foca over a year ago. Stankovic had been transferred to BiH from The Hague for trial in BiH and convicted of rape, torture and enslavement.

Noting that the BiH Court had indicted ten prison guards from the Foca prison associated with the escape Lajčák and Brammertz expressed concern over the earlier lack of action in this case. “His escape is a humiliation for the RS authorities,” said Lajčák.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative outlined progress on the BiH war crimes strategy noting that “considerable progress has been made”.

The HR/EUSR said that he expected n outline of a workable war crimes strategy to be presented by the BiH authorities when the Peace Implementation Council meets in Brussels next week. The Strategy should be adopted by the end of the year. The BiH war crimes strategy is one of five objectives set by the Peace Implementation Council in February this year.

Lajčák and Brammertz called for improved cooperation between the countries in the region in dealing with serious crime. The fact that individuals accused of serious crimes, including war crimes, can evade justice because of legal loopholes flouts justice and must be addressed by the responsible national authorities underlined Lajčák.