Ranko and Rajko Vukovic: Closing Arguments Due on June 29
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Following the completion of evidence presentation at the retrial of Ranko and Rajko Vukovic, the Appellate Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will listen to closing arguments from Prosecution and Defence on June 29, 2009.
By a first-instance verdict, the Vukovic brothers were sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment each for crimes against humanity committed in the Foca area in May 1992. The State Prosecution charges the two indictees with participation in the murder of two civilians in Podkolun village.
Prior to completion of evidence presentation, the Appellate Chamber included in the case file a note on the partial reconstruction conducted in Podkolun village on May 18 this year, as well as a sketch showing the crime-scene location and some photographs. The reconstruction, which was attended by all parties to the proceedings, was conducted as per a request by the Prosecution and Defence.
The Chamber also announced that it had rejected all other proposals filed by the two parties for the presentation of new evidence at this retrial.
The Prosecution proposed that the Chamber include as evidence documents pertaining to investigative activities undertaken by the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, and the Cantonal Prosecution in Sarajevo on influencing “the key witness”. At the same time the Defence proposed that 12 new witnesses be examined.
“The Court rejects these proposals, because it considers that there is no need for these pieces of evidence to be presented,” Appellate Chamber Chairman Dragomir Vukoje said.
The trial of the Vukovic brothers began in November 2007, while the first-instance verdict against them was pronounced in February 2008.
Seven months later, the Appellate Chamber rendered a decision ordering a retrial. The retrial began on April 1, 2009.
