Bosnian Serb entity must pay damages to war victims' families

Bosnian Serb entity authorities must pay more than EUR 120,000 in damages to family members of Sarajevo residents killed in attacks by the Bosnian Serb army during the 1992-95 siege of the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo's Oslobodjenje daily said on Monday.

The municipal court in Sarajevo has delivered eight rulings in war crimes lawsuits filed against Republika Srpska (RS). Plaintiffs' attorney Esad Hrvacic says the damages refer to emotional distress over the death of relatives. Compensation range from 3,580 to 10,230 euros.

The amount of the damages to be paid so far totals EUR 122,250 and it is believed it will be considerably higher since about 3,000 suits have been instituted.

The RS authorities had to pay the damages within a month of the rulings but have failed to do so, even though the first ruling was handed down in July 2012. Every ruling has been appealed but Hrvacic is confident that the RS authorities will have to pay the damages, plus interest. He says that if necessary, the plaintiffs are ready to bring the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

(Hina)