A close ally of the former Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic, has been arrested on war crimes charges by NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Bosnia. Momcilo Krajisnik, who was a prominent figure in the Serb leadership during the Bosnian war, is to be taken to The Hague to face trial. Confirming the arrest, the NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, described Mr Krajisnik as the highest-ranking person to have been indicted so far for war crimes in the former Yugoslavia.
Behind every powerful leader is a powerful advisor. Radovan Karadzic had Momcilo Krajisnik at his right hand. He earned the nickname "Dr No", because of his uncompromising stance in peace negotiations after the Bosnian war. Mr Krajisnik may have thought that he was safe from prosecution. Officially, he was not part of the Bosnian Serb chain of command. However, today that immunity disappeared.
French peacekeepers arrested Mr Krajisnik after using explosives to blow open a door to his home. In The Hague, he will face charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and extermination. He is said to have exerted considerable influence over the Bosnian Serb leadership during the time when atrocities were being carried out against Bosnian Muslims.
This is the 19th detention of Bosnian war crimes suspects. It is also the most high profile. However, the most wanted suspects are still at large. Radovan Karadzic and his military commander Ratko Mladic are regularly seen in Belgrade. It is yet to be seen if they will be brought to justice.
