BURNING OF THE CIVILIANS AS A FORM OF CRIME: CASE STUDY – VIŠEGRAD CITY

Abstract

UDK 341.485(497.6=163.4*3)”1992/1995”
         355.012:341.485(497.6)”1992/1995”

In this article that deals with the crimes against humanity and international law committed in the territory of the municipality Višegrad the accent is placed upon the bestial method of killing by both mass and individual burning of civilians (women, children and the aged) in houses and other adjoining constructions. In this context the chronological history of this type of crime is viewed with intention to establish and present the continuity of such crimes that in Višegrad reached their peak during 1992-1995. The results of theoretical and empirical research clearly show that the city of Višegrad has become a paradigm of the crime of burning civilians, thus it is justly characterised as the city wherein burning of a large number of civilians was planned, organised and systematically executed with the aim of the most brutal ethnic cleansing and persecution of the inhabitants of the valley of the river Drina. This is also confirmed by the relevant verdicts of the Hague Tribunal against the criminals who directly or indirectly were involved in killings, to a healthy human mind incomprehensible, of the innocent civilians just for being of different nationality or faith.