Klickovic: Custody Extended

In order to be able to collect sufficient evidence and to file an “adequate indictment”, the Prosecution of BiH has requested a one-month custody extension for Gojko Klickovic. The Court decided to prolong  custody until December 20.

The former Republika Srpska prime minister is suspected of having committed crimes against humanity in his previous role as president of the wartime Presidency of  Krupa municipality. The Court shall render its decision at a later stage.

The Prosecution considers that Klickovic participated in the mobilisation and organisation of the Serbian army “and also in the achievement of military goals, such as road and bridge blockages, organisation of sniper activities and establishment of detention camps” at the time he was the wartime president of the Bosanska Krupa municipality presidency. After the war, Klickovic served as the prime minister of Republika Srpska from 1996 to 1998.

Prosecutor David Schwendiman justified the custody extension request by saying that the suspect might try to influence accessories and witnesses. Citing other reasons for the request, he mentioned that the investigation against Klickovic is conducted by the Regional Court in Eastern Sarajevo, which “increases the reasons for escape”. The prosecutor did not provide further details on the actions covered by the investigation.

“I do not think that introduction of alternative measures would be appropriate. No other measures, except for custody, would ensure his presence,” said Schwendiman.

Objecting to the proposal, attorney Dusko Tomic asked that prohibiting measures be introduced for his client instead. He reiterated that various investigations against Klickovic have been ongoing for 12 years already.

“If they have not been able to do anything in 12 years, what can they do in 30 days?” asked Tomic, adding that the potential custody extension would represent a “reprisal against Klickovic”.

“He has nowhere to go, as he has BiH citizenship alone,” said Tomic, adding that the suspect could not influence the witnesses and accessories as he does not know who they are.

The prosecutor noted that the suspect does not have a permanent place of residence in BiH. Tomic responded by saying that this could be solved “in an hour”. He said that he would give make his family home available to the client, who could register it as his permanent place of residence.

Klickovic also addressed the court by saying that he did not think of “crossing the Drina river” as he “spent his school and university time in Sarajevo”.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia arrested Klickovic, on the basis of a warrant issued by Interpol, in Belgrade in 2006.

At the request of the Court of BiH, the Serbian police handed him over to the local authorities in BiH in June this year. He has been held in custody since then.