A retired Serbian war crimes prosecutor told the Belgrade-based FoNet news agency that the life sentence handed down to Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic is more just than his initial sentence of 40 years.

Prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic said the life sentence gives the families of the victims satisfaction because it is just.

“As a professional, I do not expect the sentence to be bigger or smaller, but just,” he said.  

Vukcevic recalled that perpetrators of lesser crimes were given life sentences, adding that Karadzic's role as the first Republika Srpska president carried a greater responsibility.  

Vukcevic said the job of the court is not to contribute to reconciliation in the region, as that is up to the executive authorities. The court can only rule on whether someone is guilty or not, he said.