This case summary is part of a collection of summaries describing the cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). See the Online Resource Hub pages on the ICTY and International Criminal Law, and the table of ICTY case summaries for additional information.
Furundžija (IT-95-17/1) “Lašva Valley”
Trial Judgment: 10 December 1998; Appeal Judgment: 21 July 2000
Anto Furundžija, a local commander of the Jokers in the Vitez municipality of BiH, stood trial for allegedly having committed, planned instigated, ordered or otherwise aided and abetted in the planning, preparation, or execution of crimes of sexual violence against Bosnian Muslim women in the Lašva River Valley and Vitez municipality; this is the first case at the ICTY to deal entirely with charges of sexual violence. The prosecution charged Furundžija with individual criminal responsibility two counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for torture and outrages on human dignity, including rape.
In 1998, the Trial Chamber convicted Furundžija on all counts against him. In 2000, the Appeals Chamber dismissed all grounds of appeals by Furundžija. The Trial Chamber sentenced Furundžija to 10 years’ imprisonment, which was upheld by the Appeals Chamber.