Former Serbian leader cleared of war crimes

Per BBC, former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic has been acquitted of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a UN war crimes tribunal.

While Milutinovic was acquitted, five former top Serbian officals were convicted on some or all of the charges they faced resulting from a 1990s conflict, according to BBC. The sentences for those convicted range from 15 to 22 years, per the article.

A twitterer in Kosovo called the ruling a "Big victory."

@arianitd (Kosovo): Serb president not guilty. But 5 other members of the state criminal enterprise guilty. Big victory for Kosovo. Civil case next?



Other tweets from Europe and elsewhere demonstrated a sense of surprise.

@ZlatkoGR (Polygyros, Greece): Κάτσε... Ο Milutinovic βρέθηκε αθώος; Κάτι έχω χάσει εδώ πέρα (Sit ... A Milutinovic found innocent? Something I miss here)



@dskp (Boston/L.A.): What happened in Kosovo was NOT a crime against humanity? WTF UN? Sentences r [expletive] weak http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7911761.stm



@DennisBeatty(Indianapolis, Ind.) Milan Milutinovic was found not guilty at the Hague, does that mean Clinton was worse than Bush? At least Hussein was found guilty



@cafemir (Atlanta, Ga.): Milosevic's post-humus acquittal by the Hague of war crimes against Kosovo Albanians http://is.gd/l3pz - what kind of justice is that?

Former Serbian leader cleared of war crimes

Kosovo Independence: One Year On

Per Al Jazeera English, Kosovo is celebrating the one year anniversary of gaining independence from Serbia. The BBC website reports that there are mixed reactions to the anniversary, especially from Kosovo's remaining Serbian residents. The 24 hour English-language news channel Russia Today has video about the anniversary while the Belgrade radio station B92 reports on its website about the day in Pristina, Kosovo's capital city.

Twitterers are posting about the celebrations, with some noting that not everyone is happy about Kosovan independence.

@DFBMBE (Pristina, Kosovo) On the way to the Independence Celebrations - Pristina, Kosovo: Posted in Vidblogs Tagged: 17 february 20.. tinyurl.com/cbo5l3




@ProlecniDan (Novi Sad, Serbia) today protest at Novi Sad against Kosovo independence with text sign 'Novi Sad is serbian city'. Good to know.




@annehubert (New York, USA) did something happen in kosovo? some weird honking action in times sq involving flags and singing not in english




@acbrudvig (Mankato, USA) celebrating Kosovo's Independence Day from Mankato, Minnesota... and going to class... and going to bed right early..




@M_a_r_I_k_A (Montreal, Canada) Kosovo 1 year of independence: Kosovans cross a bridge decorated with dozen of Albanian national flags a year af.. tinyurl.com/bdyln7




@3NewsNZ (New Zealand) #3News NZ: Serbians gather to protest first anniversary of Kosovo's independence: Serbians in the Koso.. tinyurl.com/arqpg4





@DavidRHaslam (Michigan, USA) Wow! Happy 1st Birthday Kosovo! I look forward to speaking in your capital city in September! I cannot wait! Hope to see my bff Drita too!

Kosovo Independence: One Year On