Bastah et al: Time for Preparation
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After presenting more than 80 pieces of material evidence in the last seven months,the State Prosecution has completed evidence presentation against Predrag Bastah and Goran Viskovic, who are charged with the murder and torture of Bosniaks in theVlasenica area during 1992.
Prosecutor Sanja Jukic indicated that the Prosecution has no further evidence to present at this stage, but she stressed that the Prosecution reserves the right to”examine a graphologist and read statements by four additional witnesses, following the completion of the Defence evidence presentation process”.
The Prosecution charges Predrag Bastah, known as Dragan or Car, and Goran Viskovic, known as Vjetar, former members of police and military structures of Republika Srpska, with crimes that “contributed to and strengthened the functioning of the system of abuse and persecution” in Susica detention camp and other prisons in Vlasenica in 1992.
The material evidence introduced by the Prosecution focused on proving Bastah’s role as a member of the reserve police forces with the Public Safety Station in Vlasenica and Viskovic’s role as a member of the Republika Srpska Army.
The Prosecution presented several orders issued by the Serbian Autonomous Region of Birac, in which Vlasenica was situated in 1992. These orders pertain to the establishment of Susica detention camp “for prisoners of war”, as well as instructions on guarding the camp.
In addition, the Prosecution presented, as material evidence, death certificates pertaining to 23 persons, whose remains were found in and exhumed from mass graves in the Vlasenica area.
The Defence of first indictee Bastah asked for a two-week break in order to prepare for the presentation of evidence. The next hearing is therefore due to take place on February 16, 2009.
Milorad Potparic, Bastah’s Defence attorney, said he would examine “about 25 witnesses” during evidence presentation. He said many of the witnesses would be “the indictee’s direct superior officers in the police”.
“Many of these witnesses work with various authorities now. Due to their positions, they will obstruct our requests. We therefore ask the Court to send summons to those witnesses, asking them to come here and testify,” Potparic explained.
The Defence of Goran Viskovic announced that it would examine 13 witnesses and play several video recordings, “made in the period of time covered by this indictment”.
