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Portrait of Biljana Plavšić

Photo: SSGT Lance Cheung, USAF · Public domain

Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina · Nationalities Serbian, Bosnian — Politics / regimes / war

Biljana Plavšić

Authoritarian regimes, wars and mass atrocitiesPolitics and government

Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “Public retraction of confession and remorse during imprisonment in Sweden” and “Early release after serving approximately two-thirds of sentence”.

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Profile No. 2398 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Biljana Plavšić

Photo: SSGT Lance Cheung, USAF · Public domain
9Documented controversies
8Sources
1 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

Case · 7 documented stages

Public retraction of confession and remorse during imprisonment in Sweden

Conviction
01

January 2009

Public retraction of confession and remorse during imprisonment in Sweden

Conviction

In an interview from her Swedish prison, Plavšić said she had done nothing wrong and explained that she had pleaded guilty to negotiate the charges and sentence, thereby withdrawing the substance of her previous statements of remorse.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    UPIJailed Plavsic recants Hague confessionNews agencyHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    ICTYThe Prosecutor v. Biljana Plavšic: Trial Chamber Sentences the Accused to 11 years' ImprisonmentCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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02

27 October 2009

Early release after serving approximately two-thirds of sentence

Conviction

After serving her sentence in Sweden, Plavšić was granted early release after approximately two-thirds of her eleven-year term.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ICTYKey Figures 30 June 2010Court recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ICTYBiljana Plavsic Transferred to Sweden to Serve Prison SentenceCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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03

27 February 2003

Eleven-year prison sentence imposed by ICTY

Conviction

The ICTY sentenced Plavšić to eleven years' imprisonment, describing her participation in a campaign of ethnic separation that caused thousands of deaths and expulsions, while recognising several mitigating circumstances.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ICTYThe Prosecutor v. Biljana Plavšic: Trial Chamber Sentences the Accused to 11 years' ImprisonmentCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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04

2 October 2002

Guilty plea to persecution as a crime against humanity

Conviction

Plavšić pleaded guilty to persecution as a crime against humanity. Under the plea agreement, the prosecution requested withdrawal of the remaining counts, which were subsequently dismissed.

State of the evidence
Established by a court

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ICTYThe Prosecutor v. Biljana Plavšic: Trial Chamber Sentences the Accused to 11 years' ImprisonmentCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ICTYPlavšić (IT-00-39 & 40/1)Court recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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06

January–September 2001

Voluntary surrender to ICTY, initial not-guilty plea and provisional release

Formally charged

Plavšić voluntarily surrendered to the ICTY in January 2001, initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against her and was then granted provisional release pending further proceedings.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ICTYPlavšić (IT-00-39 & 40/1)Court recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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08

1 July 1991–30 December 1992

Participation in campaign of persecution and ethnic separation in 37 municipalities

Conviction

The factual basis accepted by Plavšić establishes her participation, with other Bosnian Serb leaders, in a joint enterprise aimed at persecuting Muslim, Croat and other non-Serb populations in 37 municipalities as part of a campaign of ethnic separation.

State of the evidence
Established by a court

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ICTYThe Prosecutor v. Biljana Plavšic: Trial Chamber Sentences the Accused to 11 years' ImprisonmentCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ICTYStatement of Guilt: Biljana PlavšićCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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09

1992

Support and encouragement for deployment of Serbian paramilitary forces to impose ethnic separation

Conviction

The sentencing judgment found, among other things, that Plavšić invited and encouraged paramilitaries from Serbia to assist Bosnian Serb forces in implementing ethnic separation by force.

State of the evidence
Admitted by the person

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ICTYStatement of Guilt: Biljana PlavšićCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ICTYThe Prosecutor v. Biljana Plavšic: Trial Chamber Sentences the Accused to 11 years' ImprisonmentCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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05

17 December 2002

Public acknowledgement of guilt, responsibility and remorse before Tribunal

No legal proceedings

During the sentencing hearing, Plavšić acknowledged the gravity of the crimes committed and presented her plea as acceptance of responsibility, which the judges took into account as a mitigating factor.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ICTYStatement of Guilt: Biljana PlavšićCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    ICTYThe Prosecutor v. Biljana Plavšic: Trial Chamber Sentences the Accused to 11 years' ImprisonmentCourt recordVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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07

June–July 1997

Break with SDS leadership, condemnation of corruption and dissolution of Republika Srpska Assembly

No legal proceedings

After becoming President of Republika Srpska, Plavšić broke with the SDS hardliners, denounced corruption and dissolved the Assembly, provoking a major crisis with the leadership in Pale. The SDS expelled her and demanded her resignation.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Office of the High RepresentativeOHR Bulletin 53 — Republika Srpska political crisisOfficial documentVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    Office of the High RepresentativeOHR Bulletin 55 — Republika Srpska political crisisOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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