“Prijedor Four” trial postponed

The trial of four indictees charged with crimes committed in Prijedor detention camps in 1992 has been postponed because the defence attorney of primary indictee Zeljko Mejakic is ill.

“Attorney Jovan Simic is not feeling well and that is the reason why he did not come to the hearing today,” Trial Chamber chairman Saban Maksumic explained.

Beside attorney Simic, indictees Zeljko Mejakic, Dusan Fustar, Dusko Knezevic and Momcilo Gruban also did not appear in Court.

“All indictees refused to consume food on January 15 and said that they will not come to the court until further notice,” Judge Saban Maksumic said.

The Prosecution has charged the four with participation in the beating, torturing, rape and murder of detainees in 1992 in Omarska and Keraterm detention camps.

The Prosecution claims that from May 24 to August 30 1992, primary indictee Zeljko Mejakic was warden of Omarska, where Momcilo “Ckalja” Gruban was guard shift commander.

From May 24 to August 30 1992, Dusan Fustar was one of three guard commanders at Keraterm, while Dusko Knezevic came to the camp from time to time and, according to witnesses, participated in beatings of inmates.

Omarska and Keraterm camps were closed at the end of 1992, after a visit by foreign journalists, and some of the detainees were transferred to Trnopolje and Manjaca detention camps.

All four indictees were transferred on May 9, 2006 from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to be processed at the Bosnian court, in accordance with the ICTY’s exit strategy. The indictment was confirmed on July 17, 2006, and all four indictees pleaded not guilty.

The trial will be continued on January 24, when the first Prosecution witnesses are scheduled to testify.