Vojislav Koštunica

In 2010, the Đinđić family's lawyer named Koštunica in a complaint concerning the 2001 JSO mutiny and its possible political background. The investigation did not establish that Koštunica or other persons outside the members ultimately prosecuted had participated in the mutiny; the complaint against him was dismissed.

Attribution

Directly implicated

In the period leading up to and following Kosovo's declaration of independence, Koštunica refused to allow Serbia to pursue normal rapprochement with the European Union without guarantees concerning Serbian sovereignty. He blocked the signing of an EU agreement in February and triggered early elections in March when the coalition split over whether European integration or Kosovo policy should take priority.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Koštunica strongly supported the Russian–Serbian energy agreement providing, among other things, for the sale of a controlling stake in oil company NIS to Gazprom Neft and a gas partnership. He presented the agreement as strategically important for energy security and growth. Critics denounced what they considered a very low price for NIS and a process lacking transparency.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

As Serbian prime minister, Koštunica favoured voluntary surrender by ICTY indictees and opposed a policy of aggressive arrests. Western partners repeatedly criticised Belgrade for cooperation they considered inadequate, particularly concerning Ratko Mladić, then a fugitive.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

After Zoran Đinđić's assassination, two senior security figures close to Koštunica, Aco Tomić and Rade Bulatović, were arrested over alleged meetings with organised-crime figures and members of the former JSO. Koštunica denounced a political purge and settling of scores.

State of the evidence

Documented

Koštunica opposed handing Slobodan Milošević over to the ICTY, arguing that cooperation with The Hague should be based on domestic legislation and that the transfer carried out by Zoran Đinđić's Serbian government was illegal and unconstitutional. Milošević's transfer on 28 June 2001 caused a deep rift within the coalition that had overthrown the former president.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the armed mutiny of the JSO, a special police unit inherited from the Milošević era, Koštunica stated that the mutineers' demands opposing cooperation with the ICTY without specific legislation were 'understandable' and 'legitimate'. The JSO had refused orders and blocked roads with armed personnel and military vehicles.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Koštunica faced Slobodan Milošević in the September 2000 presidential election. The official electoral commission gave him 48.22% and required a second round, but the opposition maintained that he had won outright. Koštunica refused the second round; mass demonstrations on 5 October forced Milošević to concede and Koštunica was recognised as president.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

As a young law lecturer, Koštunica lost his position at the University of Belgrade after criticising the constitutional changes of 1974, which he considered excessively decentralising and dangerous to Yugoslavia's cohesion.

Attribution

Directly implicated