Slobodan Praljak drank from a small bottle and yelled “I am not a war criminal” when his 20-year sentence was upheld.
War criminal Slobodan Praljak has died in hospital after drinking what he claimed to be poison during a court appearance, Croatia’s prime minister has confirmed.
The former Croatian army chief drank from a small bottle and yelled “I am not a war criminal, I oppose this conviction” when his 20-year sentence was upheld by UN judges at The Hague.
The dramatic turn of events, which was broadcast on a video feed, forced the judges to temporarily suspend the hearing, with paramedics seen entering the courtroom.
The hearing resumed a few hours after the shocking development, with presiding judge Carmel Aguis saying: “Courtroom one is now a crime scene.”