Three officials in former Yugoslavia sentenced by UN tribunal to 6-17 years

Three senior officials in the former Yugoslavia received sentences today ranging from six to 17 years for crimes against humanity - persecution and unlawful deportation of non-Serb civilians - from the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Blagoje Simic, a medical doctor, was president of the Serb Crisis Staff in the municipality of Bosanski Samac and continued as president and the highest-ranking civilian when the Crisis Staff was renamed the War Presidency, according to a summary of the ICTY's judgement.

"With respect to Blagoje Simic, a conviction is entered for crimes against humanity, for persecutions, based upon unlawful arrest and detention of Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian Croat civilians, cruel and inhumane treatment including beatings, torture, forced labour assignments, and confinement under inhumane conditions, and deportation and forcible transfer," the ICTY said.

He received 17 years, with a credit of 949 days. One judge dissented, saying a seven-year sentence would have been "proportionate and just."

"With respect to Miroslav Tadic, the Trial Chamber enters a conviction for crimes against humanity, for persecutions, based upon deportation and forcible transfer," the ICTY said. He "substantially had the intent to permanently displace non-Serb civilians from their homes in the municipality of Bosanski Samac."

He received eight years, but with a credit of 1,568 days.

Simo Zaric was convicted of "crimes against humanity for persecutions based upon cruel and inhumane treatment including beatings, torture, and confinement under inhumane conditions."

He received six years, with a credit of 1,558 days.