The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has sentenced Vojin Pavlović – the head of the pro-Russian “Eastern Alternative of Republika Srpska” association – to two and a half years in prison in a first-instance ruling for denying and glorifying the genocide in Srebrenica, as well as for praising convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.
In his ruling, the judge described this decision as a historic moment for Bosnia’s judicial practice and called on prosecutors to pursue similar cases.
“The court is sending a clear message that genocide and war crimes convictions are legally established facts, not only by the Hague Tribunal but also by the courts of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Judge Goran Radević. He added that Pavlović’s actions did not constitute political opinion under freedom of speech, but were “blatant genocide denial.”
Pavlović was convicted for displaying a banner on March 10, 2023, at an intersection in Bratunac, showing a photo of Ratko Mladić, the former RS Army commander sentenced to life imprisonment for war crimes and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The banner read: “Happy Birthday, may you live long and healthy.”
According to the verdict, Pavlović, as president of the Eastern Alternative, was fully aware that this act glorified Ratko Mladić.
He was also found guilty of approving and attempting to justify the Srebrenica genocide by organizing a rally in Bratunac on July 11, 2023. For this event, posters were prepared bearing the inscription: “July 11 – Liberation Day of Srebrenica. Thank you, Army of Republika Srpska.”
These posters were displayed in various areas of the Bratunac municipality, just a few kilometers from Srebrenica.
Neither Pavlović nor his lawyer attended the sentencing, although he had initially pleaded not guilty.
This marks the first verdict of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Both the defense and the State Prosecutor’s Office have the right to appeal the decision.
In July 2021, former High Representative of the international community in Bosnia, Valentin Inzko, amended Bosnia’s Criminal Code using so-called “Bonn Powers” to criminalize genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals.
The Eastern Alternative association is known for posting materials glorifying convicted war criminals, including Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
According to its statute, the association opposes the European Union and NATO cooperation, while supporting closer ties with Russia, China, and “all countries friendly to the Serb people.”
It also advocates for Republika Srpska’s independence and for “verifying the truth” about Srebrenica.
On May 23, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, and condemning genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals.
