ON 29 November 2017 shocking news rocked the world. Former Croatian war general, Slobodan Praljak, committed a suicide after hearing the Verdict at The Hague court.

Slobodan Praljak was 72 years old and he was already in Hague prison for 13 years. He was charged for ordering the destruction of the renowned 16th-century Ottoman bridge in Mostar, which was rebuilt in 2004, years after the war ended. The court’s ruling confirmed the 20-year prison term he received for his role in the war.

Slobodan Praljak who commanded ethic Croat troops in the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, after hearing verdict yelled: “Judges, Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal. I reject the verdict with contempt.” Moments after that he drank from a small glass bottle in the courtroom but the judge continued to the next defendant.

Praljak loudly announced that he drank the poison. The whole courtroom was in shock and persisting the judge called for medical assistance. The whole session after that was closed for public. When medical assistance came it was already too late. Slobodan Praljak died few hours later in hospital. It was discovered that he drank potassium cyanide.

This act of former Croatian general ruffles the tensions between Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia. It divides the Croatian nation as some of them believe that he was innocent and a real hero by performing this act to prove his innocence. On the other hand, others saw him as a war criminal who deserved to die in prison. However, there are many different aspects which should be studied and considered to build opinion about that man.