Dolic: Trial for Prozor Crimes Begins
04 February 2010 The trial for crimes committed in Prozor municipality in 1993 begins with the presentation of introductory arguments by the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Defence.
The indictment alleges that Darko Dolic, a former member of the "Jastrebovi" ("Hawks") Reconnaissance Squad with the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, participated in the physical abuse and robbing of Bosniak civilians and the rape of two females in Druzinovici village, Prozor municipality, in July and August 1993.
Dolic is charged with having raped, while threatening her with weapons, protected witness S1, who was a minor at the time, in a house in Lapsunj village, where more than 30 Bosniak women were accommodated, "on several occasions" in August 1993.
"The crimes charged upon the indictee represent a violation of the Geneva Convention and a violation of the rights of civilians. The indictee committed the crimes as an HVO member, although those actions were not justified by his military service. Further, Dolic was aware of the fact that he came to the village as a solider. The Prosecution intends to prove this," Prosecutor Sanja Jukic said, presenting her introductory arguments.
Zlatko Milovic, Defence attorney of the indictee, said he was sure Dolic was "neither factually nor legally guilty", adding that he would prove this during the course of the trial.
"I know my client is charged with grave crimes, which represent the violation of the rights of civilians. This is why this case is very important and rather difficult. With due respect to the victims, I consider an innocent man must not be sentenced. During the course of the trial we shall prove that Dolic was not present at the location where the horrible crimes were committed in the referenced period of time," the Defence attorney said.
The State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, arrested Dolic in October 2009. He has been held in custody since then.
The first Prosecution witnesses are due to testify on February 12.
Justice Report is a
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local courts; development of the local legal system; and efforts to come to
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