Kujundzic: Defence to start presenting evidence
09 October 2008 At the status conference the Defence of Predrag Kujundzic announces its evidence presentation plan.
The Defence of Predrag Kujundzic has announced that, in addition to
presenting voluminous documentation, it intends to examine 46 witnesses during
the course of presenting evidence.
The Trial Chamber warned the Defence about the large
number of witnesses, but it eventually decided to accept the Defence's
proposal.
The State Prosecution requested the Defence to provide it
with an explanation on the circumstances, which would be the subject of
witnesses' testimonies.
Among other things, the State Prosecution charges Kujundzic, as former
commander of the "Predini vukovi" ("Predo's Wolves") Unit with the Republika Srpska
Army, VRS, with having participated in the prosecution, murder, rape, enslaving and
physical and mental abuse of Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats in the Doboj area in 1992 and 1993.
"Most witnesses will speak about various circumstances, as described in
the indictment. Two witnesses will attempt to provide our client with an alibi,"
attorney Goran Neskovic said, explaining the evidence presentation process.
He said that he would invite three court experts, who
would be asked to review the available medical reports and come up with their
findings and opinions concerning the indictee's working capability in 1992 and
1993, as well as the state of a protected witness, who testified in favour of
the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"We shall ask the court expert to review the medical reports pertaining
to the indictee's treatment and rehabilitation, and determine what his working
capability was in the course of 1992 and 1993," Neskovic said.
Once again the Defence called upon the Court to allow its
client to defend himself while at liberty, but the Chamber rejected the
proposal.
Kujundzic has been held in custody since October 10,
2007. He was ordered into custody because of the possibility that he might
attempt to influence witnesses and accomplices, as well as because of his
connections with the network of ICTY fugitives' helpers.
The Prosecution evidence presentation against Kujundzic was completed on
September 18 this year.
The
trial is due to continue on October 16, when the first three Defence witnesses will
be examined.
Justice Report is a
specialist reporting agency focusing on war crimes trials taking place before
local courts; development of the local legal system; and efforts to come to
terms with the past.
Read more
TRIAL: A Slap in the Face of Justice Expectations
Bosnian authorities have failed to provide access to justice and reparations for thousands of victims of rape and other sexual violence – says a report carried out by the Swiss organisation TRIAL.
Read more
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network
The opinions expressed in Balkan Insight are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network
Komentari:
Nema komentara.