Rasim Delić, Bosnian general (b. 1949)

Rasim Delić (4 February 1949 – 16 April 2010) was a significant military figure whose career began in the professional ranks of the Yugoslav People's Army before he ultimately rose to become the Chief of Staff of the Bosnian Army during the tumultuous years of the Bosnian War. His life, marked by service and later controversy, concluded on April 16, 2010.

A Career Forged in Yugoslavia, Defined by Bosnia

Born into a period of post-World War II peace and socialist federalism, Delić commenced his military journey as a career officer in the formidable Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). The JNA, a multi-ethnic defense force, was designed to protect the integrity of socialist Yugoslavia. However, as the political landscape of Yugoslavia fractured and its constituent republics moved towards independence in the early 1990s, Delić, like many officers, found himself at a pivotal crossroads. He chose to leave the disintegrating JNA, aligning himself with the newly forming defense forces of his native Bosnia and Herzegovina. This transition was crucial, leading him to assume increasingly prominent command roles within the nascent Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH). By June 1993, at a critical juncture in the Bosnian War, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the ARBiH, placing him at the strategic helm of a military force embroiled in a complex and brutal conflict. In this vital position, he bore immense overall responsibility for the conduct of the troops under his command.

The ICTY Trial and Conviction for War Crimes

Following the cessation of hostilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rasim Delić's wartime actions, particularly concerning the principle of command responsibility, came under intense international scrutiny. He was subsequently indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), an ad hoc United Nations court specifically established to prosecute individuals responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the former Yugoslavia. The indictment against Delić focused on his alleged failure to prevent and punish crimes committed by elements of his forces, specifically targeting the El Mudžahid detachment, a foreign volunteer unit operating within the ARBiH 3rd Corps. These alleged crimes included cruel treatment and murder of captured Bosnian Serb soldiers and Croat civilians in central Bosnia between July 1993 and January 1994. Delić voluntarily surrendered to the ICTY in 2005, demonstrating a willingness to face the legal process. After a comprehensive trial that examined intricate details of military command structure and the complexities of responsibility in wartime, he was ultimately convicted in 2008. The court found him guilty of failing to take necessary and reasonable measures to prevent or punish the cruel treatment of twelve captured Bosnian Serb soldiers by members of the El Mudžahid detachment. Importantly, the court acquitted him of other more severe charges, including murder, and acknowledged that he had made some efforts, albeit insufficient, to control the detachment. He was sentenced to three years in prison, a sentence that reflected the specific nature of his conviction for command responsibility rather than for direct perpetration of the crimes himself.

Legacy and Final Years

Rasim Delić’s case remains a significant one in the annals of international justice, offering crucial insights into the intricate legal principle of command responsibility during armed conflict. His conviction underscored the expectation that military commanders are accountable for the actions of their subordinates, even if they did not directly order specific crimes. He passed away in Sarajevo on April 16, 2010, two years after his conviction and before the full appeals process had concluded. His death marked the end of a life inextricably linked to the dramatic and often tragic history of the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be debated in the context of post-conflict reconciliation and justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Rasim Delić?
Rasim Delić was a former Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) during the Bosnian War, who began his military career as an officer in the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA).
What was his primary role during the Bosnian War?
From June 1993, Rasim Delić served as the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH), making him the highest-ranking military officer in the Bosnian Army at a crucial period of the conflict.
Why was he prosecuted by the ICTY?
Rasim Delić was prosecuted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on charges of war crimes under the principle of command responsibility. Specifically, he was accused of failing to prevent or punish the cruel treatment and murder of Bosnian Serb soldiers and Croat civilians by units under his command, particularly the El Mudžahid detachment.
What was the outcome of his trial?
He was convicted in 2008 for failing to prevent the cruel treatment of twelve captured Bosnian Serb soldiers by the El Mudžahid detachment and was sentenced to three years in prison. He was acquitted of other charges, including murder, by the court.
When did Rasim Delić pass away?
Rasim Delić passed away on April 16, 2010, in Sarajevo.