MEETING OF THE CHIEF PROSECUTORS OF THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE OF BIH AND THE OFFICE OF THE WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR OF SERBIA HELD IN BELGRADE. MUTUAL COOPERATION IN SEVERAL CASES AGREED

Chief Prosecutors Goran Salihović and Vladimir Vukčević met in Belgrade to discuss the continuation of effective cooperation between the two prosecutor’s offices in the prosecution of war crimes and prevention of impunity for war crimes.

In a friendly and collegial atmosphere, representatives of the two prosecutor’s offices discussed the priority steps in continuance of the cooperation for specific cases in the future.

Cooperation in the prosecution of war crimes committed in Srebrenica in terms of perpetrators who are residing on the territory of the Republic of Serbia were defined as priority as well as the assistance of BiH judiciary to the colleagues from Serbia in prosecuting perpetrators of war crimes in Štrpci, especially in the area of tracing the remains of victims who were citizens of Serbia.

Representatives of the BiH Prosecutor’s Office informed the colleagues that the process of exhumations at the site of Buća Potok continues.

Representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH promised assistance to colleagues in Serbia with regards to specific documents and supporting material related to war crimes, which are located on the territory of BiH.

They also discussed the activities that need to be undertaken in the future joint efforts to prosecute war crimes.

Delegation of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH presented the representatives of the Office of War Crimes Prosecutor of Serbia with the consent of victims to prosecute two persons for war crimes committed in Srebrenica, who were located on the territory of Serbia, which is a sign of confidence in both prosecutor’s offices.

They also discussed the actions required to ensure that persons convicted of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are currently located in Serbia, be sent to serve prison sentences as soon as possible.

Prosecutors have agreed, at the meeting, to continue an open mutual cooperation on war crimes cases, in order to establish the rule of law and secure environment for the life of all citizens in the process of reconciliation in the region and the path towards European integration.

It was agreed that the joint meetings shall be held continuously every two months, to discuss specific activities related to joint cooperation in the mutual interest of both institutions.