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Vojislav SheshelFounder and president of the far-right Serbian Radical Party (SRS)
Date of Birth: 11.10.1954
Country:  Serbia |
Content:
- Vojislav Šešelj: A Controversial Serbian Politician
- Education
- University and Political Involvement
- Founding of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS)
- Role in Yugoslav Wars
- Conflict with Milošević
- Post-War Activities
- Hague Tribunal
- Acquittal and Reactivation of SRS
- Personal Life
Vojislav Šešelj: A Controversial Serbian Politician
Early LifeVojislav Šešelj was born on 11 October 1954 in Sarajevo, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. His parents hailed from Eastern Herzegovina, and his mother was a relative of Chetnik commander Lieutenant Colonel Veselin Mišić.
Education
Šešelj began his primary education in 1961 and subsequently enrolled in the First Sarajevo Gymnasium. He received high marks and joined the Union of Communists (SKJ) in 1971. He became involved in student organizations and promoted communist ideology.
University and Political Involvement
In 1973, Šešelj enrolled in the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Law. He continued his political activism, becoming Vice-Dean of the Faculty's student organization. In 1989, he traveled to the United States and received the title of Vojvoda of the Chetniks from Momčilo Đujić.
Founding of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS)
In 1991, Šešelj co-founded the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), which he chaired. The party advocated for a "unitary Serbian state" encompassing all Serbian lands. Šešelj declared that he and his supporters were "not fascists, but simply chauvinists who hate Croats."
Role in Yugoslav Wars
During the Yugoslav Wars, Šešelj's paramilitary group, known as the "White Eagles," was accused of involvement in ethnic cleansing. He publicly denounced Croats as "genocidal" and "perverted." Šešelj promoted the creation of a Greater Serbia through the ethnic cleansing of Croats and Bosniaks.
Conflict with Milošević
In 1993, Šešelj clashed with Serbian President Slobodan Milošević for withdrawing support from the Republic of Srpska in Bosnia. Milošević labeled Šešelj as a "personification of violence and primitivism." Šešelj was imprisoned for opposing Milošević.
Post-War Activities
The SRS became the main opposition party, criticizing Milošević's corruption and economic mismanagement. In 1997, Šešelj infamously poured water over the face of attorney Nikola Barović during a television debate.
Hague Tribunal
In 2003, Šešelj surrendered to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. His trial began in 2007 but was marred by controversies, including hunger strikes, insults, and the disclosure of protected witnesses' identities.
Acquittal and Reactivation of SRS
In 2016, the ICTY acquitted Šešelj on all charges. However, the verdict was partially overturned in 2018, finding him guilty of crimes against humanity for inciting the deportation of Croats from Hrtkovci. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was not required to serve additional time. In 2016, Šešelj led the SRS in the Serbian parliamentary elections, securing 23 seats.
