Probe launched over Bosnian war criminal's suicide

Dutch authorities on Thursday launched an investigation into how a Bosnian Croat war criminal managed to smuggle poison into a Hague courtroom to kill himself during a televised appeal hearing.

Slobodan Praljak, 72, died in hospital on Wednesday shortly after downing a small vial of liquid, which he drank after declaring he was innocent, reports the BBC.

His 20-year sentence for war crimes in Bosnia had just been re-affirmed.

In a brief statement, Dutch prosecutors said the inquiry would look at "assisted suicide and violation of the Medicines Act".

The confirmation rulings against Praljak and five other defendants were meant to bring an end to more than 20 years of work by the tribunal.

Seconds after hearing his appeal had been lost, the former general declared: "Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal. I am rejecting the court ruling."

He then drank from a small brown glass bottle and announced, "I have taken poison."

The presiding judge cut short the trial and Praljak was taken to hospital, the BBC reported.

The content of the vial is yet to be verified.

Praljak was convicted in 2013 of crimes against humanity committed while commanding Bosnian Croat forces. Before the civil war he was a TV and film producer.

--IANS

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