Charges against the three

Murders Inhumane treatment causing great suffering Wanton destruction Illegal detention

The three men are the highest-ranking Muslim officers to face trial at the International War Crimes Tribunal.

They were charged with murder, wanton destruction and inhumane treatment among 19 counts on the indictment.

Muslim fighters are accused of a range of atrocities

The indictment alleges that General Enver Hadzihasanovic, General Mehmed Alagic and Colonel Amir Kubura were responsible for executions and massacres following attacks on towns and villages.

Their alleged victims were mainly Croat, but also Serb prisoners-of-war and civilians.

The prosecutors claim the worst of these crimes were carried out by foreign Muslim fighters known as mujahideen - or holy warriors - under the command of the three accused.

Witnesses

The men have already appeared before the tribunal as court witnesses in ongoing trials.

Hague Tribunal: Key moments

3 July: Slobodan Milosevic appears on charges of crimes against humanity 5 July: Serb "Adolf" Goran Jelisic acquitted of genocide 26 July: General Rahim Ademi is the first Croatian to appear at the court 2 Aug: General Radislav Krstic receives first ever conviction for genocide

General Hadzihasanovic gave the final testimony in the trial of the Serb General Radislav Krstic, who was convicted last week of genocide at Srebrenica.

These three men are not the first Muslims to go on trial at the tribunal.

Two camp commanders were sentenced three years ago for crimes against Serbs.

But now the military chiefs are being held accountable for atrocities carried out by their subordinates.