Babic admitted persecuting non-Serbs

The Hague war crimes tribunal found him guilty in January of persecution in the Krajina Serb republic in Croatia when he was prime minister.

Hundreds died and tens of thousands of were expelled as a policy of ethnic cleansing was pursued in the area.

Babic admitted one count of persecution, in a plea bargaining deal which saw four other charges dropped.

The crime was characterised by ruthlessness and savagery and had a severe impact on victims and their relatives. Their suffering is still significant Judge Alphons Orie

Prosecutors had asked for a maximum 11 years' jail as part of the plea-bargaining, but the court ruled the crimes warranted a longer sentence.

"More than 200 civilians, including women and elderly persons were murdered, and several hundred civilians were confined or imprisoned in inhumane conditions," said presiding judge Alphons Orie.

"The crime was characterised by ruthlessness and savagery and had a severe impact on victims and their relatives. Their suffering is still significant."

Babic was a former close ally of ex-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, but has testified against him at his trial in The Hague.

Babic, 48, a dentist by profession, has said he feels shame and remorse over his actions.