Trial of two Bosnian officers begins in The Hague

Two senior Muslim army officers accused of committing war crimes during the Bosnian war went on trial today.

Two senior Muslim army officers accused of committing war crimes during the Bosnian war went on trial today.

Retired general Enver Hadzihasanovic (53) commanded the 3rd Corps of the Muslim army in central Bosnia during the 1992-95 conflict. Mr Amir Kubura (39) was a brigade commander

They are charged with crimes including cruel treatment,  destruction and plunder on the basis of superior criminal responsibility, meaning they are accused of failing to prevent or punish atrocities committed by their subordinates.

If convicted, they face up to life in prison.  The men have pleaded innocent to all charges. Their lawyers declined to make opening statements.

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The tribunal was set up to prosecute high-ranking suspects of war crimes committed by all sides during the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, though in practice most suspects have been ethnic Serbs and a handful of Croats.

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