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Savic: Verdict Due on July 3

Momir Savić i Dragan Međović

25 June 2009  In its closing arguments the Defence denies all allegations contained in the indictment and statements given by Prosecution witnesses, describing them as unconvincing and contradictory.

The Defence of Momir Savic, who is charged with crimes committed in Visegrad, argued that the evidence presented by the Prosecution contained a number of "illogical and untrue statements and lies", and called on the Court to pronounce a verdict of aquittal. 

The Trial Chamber is due to pronounce its decision on July 3, 2009.

Savic, a former member of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, is charged, under eight counts, as a member of "an undetermined paramilitary formation" which was active when the Uzice Corps of the Yugoslav National Army, JNA, was present in the Visegrad region, and the Commander of the Third Squad of the VRS Visegrad Brigade, with having participated in the interrogation, beating and killing of Bosniak civilians from Visegrad from April to September 1992. 

"I swear I have never done any harm to a man or human being in my life. I still meet my neighbours. Had I done all this, they would have killed me by now," Savic said addressing the Chamber.

"The Prosecution examined 35 witnesses. Only one of them was not Bosniak. One gets an impression that, under the circumstances, this fact can by no means be neglected. More than 20 witnesses have never seen the indictee, although they accuse him of the gravest crimes," said attorney Dragan Medjovic, claiming that statements given by Prosecution witnesses were "unconvincing and contradictory".

"There is a saying in our country: "Two men without a soul make one man die'. In our case, we can rephrase the saying into: '20 men without soul make one man die'," Defence attorney Milan Romanic said.

In his closing arguments Medjovic presented an analysis of individual counts contained in the indictment, alleging that the Prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that Savic committed the crimes charged upon him. He said the evidence had not confirmed the allegations contained in the indictment "at all".

"Momir Savic, as described by the Defence witnesses, cannot be the person described by the Prosecution. They wanted to prove that the indictee had a nickname of Vojvoda ("The Duke"), which would be an additional incrimination in his case. Can you imagine the indictee as the Duke of Drina?" Medjovic said.

Romanic added that the indictment against Savic was "general, imprecise, lacking elements and forced", adding that the indictee "helped his neighbours in many ways".

"The indictee just helped or tried to help Bosniak civilians. Other Serbs picked on him for having helped Bosniaks only. During the course of this trial it has been proved that the indictee risked his life to help others and try to prevent crimes. However, he may have tried too hard, because he could not help everyone and be everywhere, although he desperately wanted to," the Defence attorney said.

Romanic said that the Defence found it important to determine the truth and fulfill justice, adding that it was not in the best interest of victims to sentence an innocent man.