72 year-old former Bosnian Military Chief, Slobodan Praljak stood before the International Criminal Tribunal appealing his 20 year prison sentence for war crimes. After the Tribunal announced that Praljak’s 20 year prison sentence was upheld, Praljak tilt his head back and took a drink from a small glass as the judge read the verdict. Praljak stood defiant as he claimed “Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal. I am rejecting your verdict with contempt!.” Praljak yelled out before downing the liquid inside of the small glass.  The contents of the glass are still unknown, but whatever it was had the desired effect. The judge immediately suspended the hearings, and an ambulance rushed to the scene. It was too late. Praljak had managed to take his own life. The courtroom was being treated as a crime scene. Croatia’s Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, confirmed that Praljak had successfully taken his own life, and the PM offered his condolences.

 

 

 

Video courtesy: Associated Press