Court President’s Apology
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Meddzida Kreso, President of the State Court, made a public apology to “the victims of the brutal assault” that took place in the courtyard of judicial institutions, including the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the State Prosecution and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, on April 21. She expressed regret over the incident.
“I feel human and professional responsibility for the assaulted visitors. If it is determined that I should be partially blamed for what happened, I am ready to bear the consequences,” Kreso said.
On April 21 this year Tasim Kucevic and Enver Spahic assaulted two visitors, one of whom was a Federal Television journalist, within the judicial institutions complex. More details can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA8LoBuYHUE
Shortly after the assault, second-instance verdicts were pronounced against the two men, sentencing one of them to 12 and the other to three years’ imprisonment for organized crime. They had come to the Court complex to hear the verdict, following the trial during which they defended themselves while at liberty.
Prior to the Court President’s public statement, a meeting was held which was attended by Chief Prosecutor Milorad Barasin, High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council President Milorad Novkovic, and Court Police Chief Zelimir Bosnjak as well as representatives of the Ministry of Justice.
The meeting participants concluded that the Ministry, which is responsible for the Court Police, would undertake a formal investigation in order to determine responsibility for the incident.
“All of us are partially responsible for this unwelcome incident. We are responsible irrespective of our formal responsibility, which will be determined by the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Kreso said.
Following the verdict, Kucevic and Spahic were released, because there is no available room in prisons. Both men were arrested during the night of April 22. They were ordered into custody until the investigation pertaining to the assault against the two individuals has been completed.
