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The Hague: A UN appeals court on Thursday overturned the war crimes conviction of Naser Oric, a Bosnian Muslim considered a war hero by many in his country for fighting Serbs in the embattled Srebrenica enclave during Bosnia's 1992-95 war.
Oric, 41, was convicted two years ago by the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal of failing to prevent the murder and torture of Serb captives in Srebrenica. But judges gave him a lenient two-year sentence and ordered his immediate release because of time spent in custody.
But appeals judges went even further, overturning both convictions because the original trial failed to establish that Oric had control over forces responsible for the crimes.
"The appeals chamber has no doubt that grave crimes were committed against Serbs detained in Srebrenica," said presiding judge Wolfgang Schomburg.
"However, proof that crimes have occurred is not sufficient to sustain a conviction of an individual for these crimes."
Under those circumstances, "the appeals chamber finds that the appropriate course of action can only be a reversal of Naser Oric's convictions," Schomburg added.
Oric stared ahead without showing any emotion as the judgment was read and then bowed briefly to judges before sitting down. Outside court, he hugged friends and his lawyer before walking out the front door a free man.
"Of course I am very happy," he said.
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