Bosnia’s state police arrested on Tuesday five persons who stand accused of committing war crimes against ethnic Serb civilians in Sarajevo.

The investigation refers to crimes committed against Serb civilians from the area of Hrasnica, Butmir and Sokolovic Colony, who were illegally detained in a prison camp in a local elementary school and imprisoned in an unfinished building in Hrasnica.

The suspects are charged with the murder of at least eight captured civilians.

Prosecutors said the suspects were members of the 4th Motorized Brigade of the Army of Republic of BiH who are responsible for crimes committed against more than 100 victims, including illegal detention, torture, humiliating treatment, forced labour, and inflicting bodily and mental injuries which left the victims with lasting and severe consequences.

The Prosecutor's Office of BiH said that the case involved significant cooperation with police agencies and law enforcement institutions in BiH, as well as with judicial institutions in Serbia, given that some of the victims are outside BiH.