Mejakic et al: "Prijedor Four" Trial Postponed
27 November 2007 As the Prosecution and Defence teams are not adequately prepared, the trial for crimes committed in Omarska and Keraterm detention camps has been postponed.
The trial of four indictees charged with crimes committed in Omarska and Keraterm detention camps has been postponed because the Defence teams and the Prosecution of BiH are not adequately prepared.
The case has been also been put on hold because the Defence attorneys have not submitted its proposed list of evidence to the Trial Chamber.
"We cannot continue with the main trial today, because we have been informed that the Prosecution has not arranged for translation of all transcripts which will be presented as material evidence. Also, the Defence teams have not provided us with the list of evidence they intend to present. Earlier on, the Court asked the Defence teams to formulate their evidence," said Trial Chamber Chairman Saban Maksumic.
The Trial Chamber has asked the Defence teams to submit the list of their proposed material evidence and the list of witnesses they would like to examine by Tuesday, December 4 at the latest.
Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko Knezevic are charged with having committed murder, beating, rape and torture of Bosniaks and Croats detained in Omarska and Keraterm detention camps in 1992.
Prosecutor Peter Kidd pointed out that the transcripts containing statements of all witnesses given before the Court of BiH - "except witness K010" - have been translated and submitted to the Defence.
"This morning, the Prosecution received the translation of the remaining statement. The document is being copied at the moment and we shall hand it over to the defence after the hearing. All other transcripts were mailed to the defence. We also sent them to the indictees in the detention units," said Kidd.
Attorney Vinko Kondic reiterated that the proposed list of evidence was submitted to the Court of BiH by Momcilo Gruban's defence team. The attorneys of the other three indictees said that they would submit their lists at a later stage.
"Dusko Knezevic's defence has halted the preparation of the evidence list because we have still not received all transcripts from the Prosecution of BiH," said Nebojsa Pantic.
The Prosecution started presenting its evidence against the four indictees in February 2007. So far, it has examined more than 40 witnesses and presented more than 190 pieces of material evidence.
The trial is due to continue on Friday, November 30.
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