UN war crimes tribunal indicts two former Croatian generals

Two retired Croatian generals have been charged by the United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for their alleged role in the permanent removal of Serbs from the Krajina region in August 1995.

In a statement issued today, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) announced it had indicted Ivan Cermak and Mladen Markac on seven counts each of crimes against humanity and of violating the laws or customs of war.

The indictment alleges the two men participated in the forcible and permanent removal of Serbs from the Krajina region, as well as "the plunder, damage or outright destruction" of the Serbs' property, during the Croatian military's push to re-take the Krajina region.

It also alleges that the two men did nothing to stop "serious violations of international humanitarian law" committed during the Croatian offensive, despite having the power and authority to do so.

Mr. Cermak, 54, who also served as a government minister in Croatia from 1991 to 1993, held the rank of Colonel General and served as Commander of the Knin Garrison in the Croatian military.

Mr. Markac, 48, commanded special police units in Croatia and also held the rank of Colonel General.