The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina delivered and pronounced today, 6 July 2023, the first instance judgment in the case of Spomenko Novović and others. Spomenko Novović and Borislav Pjano are acquitted of the charges because it was not proved that they had indeed committed the criminal offense of War Crimes against Humanity under Article 172 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The indictment alleges, inter alia, that during the period between mid-April and mid-September 1992, in the territory of the Foča municipality, during a widespread and systematic attack of the military, paramilitary and police forces of the so called Serb Republic of BiH, subsequently Republika Srpska, which lasted from 8 April 1992 until at least late October 1994, directed against the civilian Bosniak and Croat population of the Foča municipality, being aware of such an attack and knowing that their acts formed a part of the attack, as members of those forces, the accused committed persecution of the civilian Bosniak and Croat population on the national and religious grounds, within which Spomenko Novović participated in murders and inhuman treatment of Bosniaks, while Borislav Pjano participated in imprisonment and forcible relocation of Bosniak civilians, murders and plundering of civilians.

The judgment can be appealed before a panel of the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH within 15 days after the receipt of a written judgment.