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The Bosnian state court and prosecution building. Photo: BIRN.

Former soldiers Ibrahim Puric, Ibrahim Tarahija, Nijaz Sivro, Rusit Nurkovic, Almir Sarajlic, Sacir Omanovic, Kasim Kavazovic and Sadik Omanovic were charged on Tuesday with killing at least 12 members of the Croatian Defence Council who had previously surrendered, as well as the killings of two Croat women in Krizancevo Selo, near the town of Vitez, on December 22, 1993.

The Bosnian state prosecution alleges that Puric committed the crimes as commander of the Bosnian Army’s 325th Mountain Brigade and commander of its Tactical Group, Tarahija as commander of the Third Battalion of the brigade, Sivro as assistant commander for security and Nurkovic as assistant commander for morale. The other four suspects were members of the 325th Mountain Brigade, the prosecution claims.

“They have been charged with war crimes against Croat victims committed at Krizancevo Selo, Safradin and Dubravica, where, on December 22, 1993, at least 12 captured Croatian Defence Council members, who had previously surrendered, and two Croat female civilians were killed and property was pillaged and destroyed,” the prosecution said in a statement.

According to the indictment, some of the suspects who were charged as commanders directly participated in committing the crimes and failed to take action to prevent them or punish the perpetrators.

The indictment has been filed to the state court for confirmation.