The public prosecution department in Arnhem is to begin an investigation into the facts behind the killing of 8,000 men and boys in the Muslim enclave of Srebrenica in 1995, the lawyer for the relatives told the press on Thursday. It is the first time the public prosecutor has taken action in the case.

The move comes after four relatives began proceedings against commander Thom Karremans, his deputy Rob Franken and second-in-command Berend Oosterveen for failing to protect their loved ones.
The public prosecution department said it is currently studying court documents and so far it has nothing to say, according to reports.
The enclave was under the protection of Dutch soldiers serving with the UN when attacked by Bosnian Serbs.
Former interpreter Hasan Nuhanovic and the relatives of electrician Rizo Mustafic say that by handing over the men and boys to the Bosnian Serbs, the military leaders colluded in genocide.
‘The investigation is a step in the right direction,’ their lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld told the press. ‘The relatives expect it to lead to further criminal investigation and eventually to prosecution.’