Lazarević was arrested and transferred to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on 3 February 2005[1] following being at large for fifteen months and following consultations with Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica where Lazarević agreed to hand himself over to the ICTY.[2][3] After agreeing to hand himself over to the Hague Tribunal, he was praised by Serbian Patriarch Pavle and Koštunica; Koštunica described his surrender as a "difficult decision in the interest of the homeland" and stated that "the General acting in line with a long-standing tradition of the Serbian army, namely, that our officers fight for the interests of the people and country until the bitter end".[10] On 7 February 2005 Lazarević pleaded not guilty to all charges against him by the ICTY before his trial opened on 10 July 2006.[5] The Prosecution's and Defence's closing arguments were presented between 22 and 27 August 2008.[8] On 26 February 2009 the Trial Chamber found Lazarević guilty of deportation, other inhumane acts including forcible transfer, he was to sentenced 15 years’ imprisonment.[8][9]