Between Justice and Stability ― The Politics of War Crimes Prosecutions in Post-Milo謇ic Serbia

Exploring the impact of the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTY) on regime change in Serbia, this book examines the relationship between international criminal justice and democratisation. It analyses in detail the repercussions of the ICTY on domestic political dynamics and provides an explanatory account of Serbiaa€?s transition to democracy. Lack of cooperation and compliance with the ICTY was one of the biggest obstacles to Serbiaa€?s integration into Euro-Atlantic political structures following the overthrow of MiloA!eviA?. By scrutinising the attitudes of the Serbian authorities towards the ICTY and the prosecution of war crimes, OstojiA? explores the complex processes set in motion by the international communitya€?s policies of conditionality and by the prosecution of the former Serbian leadership in The Hague. Drawing on a rich collection of empirical data, he demonstrates that the success of international judicial intervention is premised upon democratic consolidation and that transitional justice policies are only ever likely to take root when they do not undermine the stability and legitimacy of political institutions on the ground.

Mladen OstojiA? specializes in different aspects of international intervention and democracy-promotion in South-East Europe. He completed his PhD at Queen Mary, University of London, in 2011. His research expertise lies in the areas of transitional justice, democratisation, Europeanisation and civil society development in South-East Europe.