Kondic et al: Hospitalization of the first indictee

Wishing to get “a clear and complete insight” on the health of Vinko Kondic, the Trial Chamber has proposed that he be admitted to Sarajevo University Clinical Center.

Kondic has agreed with the proposal, but said he would prefer if the medical observation were done while he was with his family. 

“I am aware of some things. I can fight some and I can forestall others. In order to understand the emotional elements, the best thing would be to do this in the apartment where I used to live, in the presence of my family members,” Kondic said.

The Prosecution objected to his request. The Chamber will render a decision at a later stage.

Enra Mehmedika-Suljic, a member of the expert team, said Kondic might stay in hospital for “seven to ten days”.

Kondic, former Chief of the Public Safety Station in Kljuc, Bosko Lukic and Marko Adamovic are charged with a number of crimes committed in that town. Kondic has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for a long time. Citing poor health, he has failed to attend several hearings.

The Prosecution charges the three men with abetting a group of people to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Kljuc area during 1991 and 1992.

“We consider that his state of health has not seriously deteriorated. He is capable of attending the trial. Some minor changes have happened, but they have not significantly affected his general condition,” Mehmedika-Suljic said.

Predrag Radulovic, one of Kondic’s Defence attorneys, said that having spoken to him he had noticed some changes in his state of health, prompting him to believe that Kondic’s health may have deteriorated.

“At present it is not possible to communicate with him in preparing the defence. He cannot help us. On one occasion he thought we went to elementary school together, although we actually studied together at university,” Radulovic said.

The trial is due to continue on August 10, 2009.