The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in a first-instance verdict, sentenced Vojin Pavlovic to a single sentence of two and a half years in prison for inciting national, racial, and religious hatred, discord, and intolerance.
Pavlovic was convicted for placing a banner on March 10th, 2023, at an intersection above a traffic light in Bratunac, featuring the image of the former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska(VRS) and convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, with the message “Happy birthday, may you live long and healthy.“
The verdict states that Pavlovic, as the president of the association “Eastern Alternative” and a resident of Bratunac, was aware that by this act he was glorifying Ratko Mladic, who was convicted by an international court for genocide and other war crimes.
He was also found guilty of approving and attempting to justify the genocide in Srebrenica by organizing a gathering in Bratunac on July 11th, 2023, for which he produced posters bearing the message “July 11th, Day of the Liberation of Srebrenica; Thank you VRS.” He posted the posters in the Bratunac municipality, which borders Srebrenica.
By decision of the Court, Pavlovic is required to reimburse court costs.
Neither Pavlovic nor his defense attorney were present at the sentencing.
Two indictments were filed against Pavlovic, and the cases were merged into one in August of last year.
The trial of Pavlovic began on April 1st of last year.
An appeal to the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH is allowed against this verdict, Detektor writes.
