Perkovic: Face of a Persecutor

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina believes it will prove that indictee Stojan Perkovic is guilty. Prosecutor Bozidarka Dodik in her introductory arguments said she “accepts the task with enthusiasm and faith in justice”.

Perkovic, a former squad commander with the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, in Ladjevine village, Rogatica Municipality, is charged with having participated in collaboration with “other soldiers, subordinate to him” in mistreating and taking Bosniak civilians to an unknown place. These civilians have been missing ever since.

By one of the seven counts contained in the indictment the Prosecution charges him with having raped one woman. 

“Stojan Perkovic is charged with horrible, cruel and violent crimes, committed against his neighbours. Those neighbours had the deepest trust in him until the beginning of the war. They hoped that he would protect them. However, he offended and misused their trust in the worst possible way. He showed them his real face, which was the face of a persecutor, torturer and rapist,” Dodik said.

Dodik said the Prosecution would present its material evidence, but the Trial Chamber would also have a chance to listen to statements by witnesses of crimes committed by the indictee, which were part of “a broad and systematic attack” conducted by the Army and Police of the Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The witnesses whom we will call will share with you the most difficult moments of their lives. A court medical expert will enable those who are no longer alive to have their say as well, testifying about remains containing the marks of the crimes that were committed,” Dodik said.

Radivoje Lazarevic, Defence attorney of Stojan Perkovic, said he would not present defence plans at this stage, but would do this later on in the trial.

The examination of the first Prosecution witnesses is scheduled for July 2, 2009.