Bosnian Serb cleared of genocide, still jailed

THE HAGUE, Sep 27 (Reuters) The UN tribunal in The Hague acquitted Bosnian Serb politician Momcilo Krajisnik of genocide charges in the 1992-95 Bosnian war today but sentenced him to 27 years in prison for crimes against humanity.

Judge Alphons Orie pronounced him guilty of murder, expulsion and persecution, but said Krajisnik did not have the specific intent necessary to be found guilty of genocide.

Krajisnik, a former right-hand man to Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic, went on trial in February 2004 charged with genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and violating the laws or customs of war.

Krajisnik, who was seized by NATO-led peacekeepers near Sarajevo in 2000, pleaded not guilty on all counts. Defence lawyers had called for Krajisnik's acquittal, saying witness testimony against him was not credible.

REUTERS AB RK1825