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Dragoliub OydanichMinister of Defense of Yugoslavia |
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DragoLjUB OjdaniC
Early Life and EducationBorn in 1941 in the village of Ravni near Uzice, Yugoslavia, DragoLjUB OjdaniC graduated from the Infantry School in 1958 and the Army Academy in 1964. He went on to earn a master's degree in military science.
Military Career
OjdaniC's military career began when he received his first general rank in 1992 as the commander of a corps in Uzice. Following the collapse of Yugoslavia, his corps engaged in combat in eastern Bosnia, protecting Serbs from attacks by Bosnian Muslims. In 1994, he was appointed commander of the 1st Army, and two years later, became deputy chief of the General Staff. In November 1998, on Milosevic's personal orders, he became chief of the General Staff. He retired in late 1999.
Indictment by the Hague Tribunal
In 2003, OjdaniC was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for "crimes against humanity," including the "terror and violence campaign in Kosovo." He voluntarily surrendered to the Hague in 2004, following the example of former Yugoslav Vice-Premier Nikola Sainovic and Momcilo Gruban, a former commander of a camp in Bosnia. The latter was charged with "murder, sexual assault, and torture of prisoners."
Trial and Verdict
OjdaniC's trial began in 2007 and lasted for several years. In 2010, he was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The conviction was upheld on appeal in 2012.
Legacy
OjdaniC remains a controversial figure. Supporters view him as a patriotic defender of his country, while critics condemn him for his role in the Yugoslav Wars and the atrocities committed under his command. His case has been cited as an example of the complexities of international criminal justice and the challenges of reconciling different historical narratives.
