Bundalo et al: Trial Begins Next Week
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At a status conference held at the Court of BiH, the Trial Chamber rendered a decision to start the trial of Ratko Bundalo, Nedjo Zeljaja and Djordjislav Askraba on February 26 this year.
The Prosecution of BiH charges the three men with crimes committed on the territory of Kalinovik municipality, against Bosniak civilians from Jelec area in Foca municipality, from Mjehovina, Jelasica, Vihovici and Jezere villages in Kalinovik municipality and from villages in Gacko municipality from April 1992 to March 1993.
Bundalo was commander of the Kalinovik Tactical Group, Zeljaja was commander of the Public Safety Centre in Kalinovik and Askraba was supervisor of the “Barutni magacin” detention camp. The indictment alleges that the three men were “deliberate participants in a joint criminal enterprise”, together with members of the Crisis Committee and Wartime Staffs, and other members of police and army on that territory.
Prosecutor Munib Halilovic has proposed that a total of 80 witnesses be examined, but he said that the number could be significantly smaller in the end, depending on the course of the evidence presentation process. Ten of witnesses have asked for protective measures, and this has already been approved by the Court of BiH. The Prosecution also proposed a list of more than 270 pieces of material evidence.
The Prosecutor announced that he would file a motion for admissions of facts determined by two International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) indictments. However, he did not present a detailed proposal. Vesna Tupajic Kiljevic, Defence attorney of indictee Zeljaja, said she “explicitly” objected to this request.
The three Defence teams announced that they would point to a “partial alibi” for their defendants. They also asked for additional attorneys to be appointed. This request was approved.
Nedjo Zeljaja’s Defence attorney complained to the Trial Chamber about the fact that her client, who is currently being held in the Detention Unit of the Kula Correctional Facility, is not allowed to contact his family by phone without getting a permission from the Court. He is also not allowed to contact anyone apart from his closest family members, and the Defence.
The Trial Chamber asked Zeljaja to submit a written request, including the names of persons whom he wants to contact. The request will be considered later on, in consultation with the Prosecution.
