France prepares arrest warrant for suspect in Jean-Michel Nicolier murder

French judicial authorities are nearing the conclusion of an investigation into the 1991 murder of Jean-Michel Nicolier, a French volunteer who fought in the defense of Vukovar. Paris-based judge Carole Vujasinovic is reportedly preparing an international arrest warrant for Spasoje Petković, also known as ‘Štuka’, whom investigators suspect of the killing at the Ovčara site.

Ghislain Dubois, the lawyer representing the Nicolier family, stated that the investigation is practically complete. He indicated that the legal battle will extend beyond Petković to include other individuals allegedly connected to the crime, such as former JNA officer Veselin Šljivančanin and members of the Territorial Defense, Stanko Vujanović and Nada Kalabu.

Nicolier was killed on November 20, 1991, following the fall of Vukovar. His remains were located and identified in 2025 after more than three decades. While Croatian investigations previously faced difficulties due to a lack of cooperation from Serbia, the case has progressed through the French judiciary because Nicolier was a French citizen.