Ljube Boskoski

Ljube Boskoski was born on 24 October 1960 in the town of Tetovo in the Republic of Macedonia, then a part of the Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia.

From May 2001 until November 2002, Ljube Boskoski held the position of Interior Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). He was at that time an influential member of the political party in power, namely the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (“VMRO-DPMNE”).

Between Friday 10 August 2001 and Sunday 12 August 2001, a land offensive was launched by the army and the Macedonian police against Albanian civilians and their private property in the village of Ljuboten. During this attack, which was not justified by any pressing military requirements, several Albanian civilians were arrested, placed in detention, subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment and murdered. Several hundred private dwellings and other private holdings were either partially or totally destroyed (cf. Annex A of the Indictment).

In his capacity as Minister of the Interior, Ljube Boskoski had de jure and de facto command and control over the members of the police forces which took part in the alleged crimes.

He was aware of the crimes which had been committed since he himself was able to ascertain the damages to the belongings and of the cruel treatment inflicted on the people held in detention on Sunday 12 August 2001. Furthermore, he is reported to have had meetings with those who had participated in the attack and to have requested reports from the police.

He neither opened up investigations into the alleged facts, nor did he prosecute or punish those identified as being responsible for the incriminating offences.

Ljube Boskoski was charged on 22 December 2004 together with Johan Tarculovski (see “related cases”) on three counts of violations of the laws and customs of war.

After being detained in Croatia from August 2004, he was transferred to the prison quarters of the ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia) on 24 March 2005.

Arraigned on the 22 December 2004, Ljube Boskoski was charged on the basis of his superior hierarchical responsibility (Art. 7 § 3 ICTY Statute) on three counts of violations of the laws and customs of war, namely:
- murder;
- wanton destruction of towns and villages;
- cruel treatment.

After being detained in Croatia from August 2004, he was transferred to the prison quarters of the ICTY on 24 March 2005.

At his initial court appearance on 1st April 2005, Ljube Boskoski pleaded not guilty.

The trial began on 16 April 2007.

Together with that of Johan Tarculovski, the case against Ljube Boskoski is the last one under which proceedings will be undertaken by the Prosecutor of the ICTY by virtue of Security Council Resolutions requiring that the Court complete its investigations by the end of 2004. Any further cases will be transmitted to the national jurisdictions.