Committing suicide by taking poison immediately after the verdict

The unprecedented incident at an international court has made many people shudder. The defendant was considered a war criminal but he himself claimed that he acted for the nation.

Bosnian-Croatian war criminal Slobodan Praljak drinks poison in front of media cameras - Photo: REUTERS

Bosnian-Croat war criminal Slobodan Praljak died in hospital after drinking poison in the sentencing chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTY) in The Hague, Netherlands, during the trial of six war criminals on November 29, according to Croatia's state news agency.

Just seconds after the court ruled in favor of a 20-year prison sentence, defendant Praljak - a 72-year-old former Bosnian-Croatian military leader - shouted "Praljak is not a criminal" and then took a small bottle and drank it right in court to protest the sentence.

The sentencing hearing was adjourned due to the incident and ambulances and a helicopter were immediately sent to take Praljak to hospital.

In the early afternoon, a court representative said Praljak was not dead and was receiving intensive care in hospital.

But not long after, according to Croatia's official news agency Hina, Praljak died in hospital due to poisoning.

Praljak was accused of ordering the destruction of a 16th-century bridge in the city of Mostar in November 1993, which the judge at his first trial said caused serious harm to Muslim citizens.

The court had previously ruled in favor of prison sentences for two other war criminals, while three other war criminals have yet to receive a final verdict from the court because of the Praljak incident.

Media follow the trial on November 29 in The Hague - Photo: REUTERS

Praljak was an engineer who later became a theatre director, not a professional soldier. When war broke out, he joined the army and quickly rose through the Croatian ranks.

As a senior leader of the Croatian Republic of Bosnia & Herzegovina army fighting against the Bosniaks during the 1992-1995 war, Praljak is seen as a hero in the eyes of the Croats.

Last week, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic used the phrase "General Praljak" to honor Mr. Praljak at an event held in her home country.

"General Slobodan Praljak's contribution was crucial not only for the defense of Croatia and Bosnia against the attack of Greater Serbia, but also for the survival of the Croatian people on their historical territory in the fight to defend their homeland," President Grabar-Kita said.

Upon learning of Slobodan Praljak's death through the media, Ms. Grabar-Kita immediately cut short her official visit to Iceland and returned home. In her eyes, Praljak was the embodiment of "the truth he continued to defend after the war."

According to tuoitre.vn