Alija Osmic Released

Alija Osmic, a former military policeman with the 307th Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, and the West Operational Group of the ABiH, has been released by a decision rendered by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which also imposed a number of prohibiting measures against him.

Osmic is charged with having participated in unlawful detention, murder and torture carried out in basements and garages in Bugojno, the “Marxist Center – Cloister”, the “Iskra” stadium detention camp and the BH Banka premises. All these crimes were committed against Bosnian Croats from Bugojno, from July 18, 1993 to March 19, 1994.

Osmic was arrested on September 9, 2009 under a warrant issued by the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following his arrest he was ordered into one-month custody. At a hearing held on October 8 the Prosecution called for extension of custody on the grounds that he might “influence witnesses and accomplices”. The Defence objected to this.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina approved the Defence’s request and released Osmic, imposing prohibiting measures, including a ban on leaving Bugojuno Municipality unless given explicit permission by the Court and confiscation of his personal identification documents.

In addition, Osmic must personally report to the Police Station in Bugojno every Monday and Wednesday. He is banned from contacting the witnesses mentioned in the indictment and any eventual future witnesses in this case.

He is also banned from contacting or meeting any accomplices or helpers, and he is banned from discussing the case with anyone except his Defence attorney.

Osmic is banned from visiting the places where witnesses mentioned in the indictment live, or attending any public or private gatherings.

By the Court’s decision, Osmic is ordered to “adhere to strictly follow the orders and subpoenas by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and be available to the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.