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.
Tolimir (IT-05-88/2) “Srebrenica”
Trial Judgment: 12 December 2012; Appeal Judgment: 8 April 2015
Zdravko Tolimir, the Assistant Commander for Intelligence and Security of the VRS Main Staff, stood trial for allegedly having committed, planned, instigated, ordered and otherwise aided and abetted in the planning, preparation and execution of crimes against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica and Žepa, including committing genocide through summary executions; causing serious mental and physical harm to Bosniak men and women;; extermination of Bosnian Muslim men from Srebrenica and Žepa; the cruel and inhumane treatment of Bosniak civilians in Potočari and at detention facilities in Bratunac and Zvornik; the terrorizing of Bosniak civilians at Srebrenica and Potočari; the destruction of personal property of Bosnian Muslims; the forcible transfer of Bosnian Muslims from Srebrenica and Žepa through forced bussing of men and women and the separation of Bosniak men. The prosecution accused him of participation in joint criminal enterprise s related to forcible transfer from Srebrenica and Žepa and murder of the men of Srebrenica and individual criminal responsibility for genocide; conspiracy to commit genocide; crimes against humanity for extermination, murder, persecutions, inhumane acts of forcible transfer, and deportation; and violations of the laws and customs of war for murder.
In 2012, the Trial Chamber convicted Tolimir of individual criminal responsibility for genocide; conspiracy to commit genocide; crimes against humanity for extermination, persecutions, and forcible transfer; and violations of the laws or customs of war for murder. In 2015, the Appeals Chamber decided Tolimir’s appeals, and found that the Trial Chamber erred when it found Tolimir criminally responsible for criminal events in Žepa, including genocide, extermination, and murder, but upheld the convictions with regards to Srebrenica. The Trial Chamber sentenced Tolimir to life imprisonment, which was upheld by the Appeals Chamber.