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As per a request made by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team of medical doctors determined that Ferid Hodzic was not capable of following the trial, “because he needs to undergo medical treatment and stay in bed”.
On June 8, 2008 Hodzic had a heart attack. After that he was admitted to a hospital in Tuzla.
The medical experts based their findings on a recommendation made by the Emergency Medical Centre in Tuzla, which indicates that Hodzic had to stay in bed and had to undergo a cardiographic examination as soon as possible.
Considering that the experts’ findings were dated August 5, the Trial Chamber asked Defence attorney Asim Crnalic to let it know, by the end of the day, whether Hodzic has undergone the required medical examination. In case he has not done this as yet, the Chamber requested him to do it within the next three days and submit the medical findings to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The indictment charges Ferid Hodzic with war crimes against Serbian civilians and prisoners of war committed in the “Stala” (“Stable”) prison, near Vlasenica.
In the course of the referenced period of time, Hodzic, in his capacity as commander of the Territorial Defence in Vlasenica municipality, ordered the capture of civilians and members of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Army.
Trial Chamber Chairman Tihomir Lukes ordered Crnalic to bring the cardiographic report to the next hearing, scheduled for August 28. The report will then be sent to the team of medical expert, who will then make a final decision as to whether the indictee is capable of following the trial.
The trial commenced in March this year. The Defence evidence presentation is currently underway.
