(26 Jan 2000) English/Nat
NATO peacekeepers have arrested a suspected war criminal, who is wanted for the "extermination" of Muslim civilians in Bosnia.
Mitar Vasiljevic was arrested in the eastern Bosnian town of Visegrad, on suspicion of taking part in mass murder, torture and other cruel treatment of the Bosnian Muslim population.
The alleged crimes were committed between May 1992 and October 1994.
Vasiljevic was arrested under a warrant issued by the Hague war crimes tribunal.
According to the indictment issued by the Hague tribunal, amongst Vasiljevic's crimes was his participation in forcing civilians into their houses in Visegrad and then setting the buildings on fire.
As some tried to jump out of windows to escape being burnt they were shot by paramilitary troops.
An independent Yugoslav news agency alleges that Vasiljevic was involved in setting two of the houses ablaze while 135 people were inside.
Some of those killed were allegedly thrown into the Drenica river.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Yesterday Tuesday the 25th of January SFOR elements of multinational south east, acting within its mandate, detained Mitar Vasiljevic for war crimes. Vasiljevic is charged under a serial indictment of violation of the laws of customs of war and crimes against humanity of charges for his parts in attacks on Bosnian Muslims in Visegrad from 1992 to 1994. The crime and violations are punishable under Articles 3 and 5 of the statute of the Criminal Tribunal of Former Yugoslavia. There were no SFOR casualties sustained during the operation Vasiljevic was detained at the direction and authority of the NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson and Supreme Allied Commander of Europe General Wesley K Clarke."
SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Colonel Paul Hubbard
French soldiers made the arrest in Visegrad, the scene of the alleged crimes.
Vasiljevic is believed to have held Muslim prisoners in this hotel in the town.
He has now been turned over to the war crimes tribunal in Sarajevo.
Vasiljevic will soon be moved to the Hague where he will be tried for his alleged war crimes.
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