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.
Jokić (IT-01-42/1) “Dubrovnik”
Trial Judgment: 18 March 2004; Appeal Judgment: 30 August 2005
Miodrag Jokić, Commander of the 9th VPS of the Yugoslav navy, stood trial for allegedly, while acting individually or in concert with others, having aided and abetted murder, cruel treatment and an unlawful attack on the civilians of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the city itself, which was classified in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The prosecution accused him of individual and superior criminal responsibility for violations of the laws or customs of war for murder; cruel treatment; attacks on civilians; devastation not justified by military necessity; unlawful attacks on civilian objects; destruction or willful damage done to institutions dedicated to religion, charity, and education, the arts and sciences, historic monuments and works of art and science.
In 2004, the Trial Chamber accepted Jokić’s guilty plea on all charges, in which Jokić acknowledged full responsibility for his actions and a deal in which the prosecution would recommend a 10-year sentence, which Jokić was entitled to argue for a lesser sentence due to mitigating factors.
In 2005, the Appeals Chamber declined to reduce Jokić’s sentence. The Trial Chamber sentenced Jokić to seven years’ imprisonment, while considering his immediate and voluntary surrender to the tribunal, cooperation with the prosecution, and statement of guilt as mitigating factors; the Appeals Chamber upheld the sentence of the Trial Chamber.