Custody Order Motion Filed in Golubovic Case

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina filed a custody order motion with the State Court, in the case of Blagoje Golubovic, who was extradited by Serbian authorities to Bosnia and Herzegovina three days ago.

Explaining its motion, the Prosecution said that there was a fear that Golubovic might seek to “flee from the country and influence witnesses”, adding that, should he remain at liberty, he “might disturb public peace and order”.

Bajro Cilic, Defence attorney for the suspect, objected to the motion, claiming that the indictee “has to take care of his family, which is in a difficult situation right now”.

On February 11 last year the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina rendered a decision,ordering custody of brothers Blagoje and Ranko Golubovic, on suspicion of having commnitted war crimes in the Foca area. Both men were on the run in Serbia at the time.

Following the issuance of an international warrant, Blagoje Golubovic was arrested in Novi Sad on April 28, 2008. He was held for nine months, prior to being extradited to judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ranko Golubovic is still on the run.

The State Prosecution suspects that Blagoje and Ranko Golubovic, acting together with Rajko and Ranko Vukovic, participated in the murder of Avdija Hukara and Mejra Bekrija in Podkolun village, Foca Municipality, in late May 1992.

Prosecutor Behaija Krnic stressed that there was a danger that Golubovic might attempt to influence witnesses, adding that he intended to examine many witnesses who testified at the trial of Rajko and Ranko Vukovic, during the course of the trial of the Golubovic brothers. He said that Blagoje Golubovic knew who those witnesses were.

In early February 2008 the State Court rendered a first-instance verdict, sentencing brothers Rajko and Ranko Vukovic to 12 years’ imprisonment each for their participation in crimes committed in Podkolun village in the course of 1992. After the parties had filed appeals, the verdict was revoked.

The Vukovic brothers are at liberty, awaiting the commencement of the retrial.

“Bosnia is my only country. I do not have any other place to go to. Since my arrest in Novi Pazar, I have sent several letters to the Ministry of Justice of Serbia,asking to be extradited to Bosnia. I am asking the Court not to order me into custody because of my family. I swear to God that I shall appear before the Court,” Blagoje Golubovic said.

The Court will render a decision concerning custody at a later stage.