Alija Osmic Re-arrested

On October 13, upholding an objection filed by the State Prosecution, one day after Alija Osmic was released from custody, a Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina revoked an earlier decision by which certain prohibiting measures were imposed against Osmic and he was released. The indictee, who is charged with crimes committed in Bugojno, was re-arrested.

“By the decision rendered by this Chamber on October 13 the prohibiting measures have been dismissed and Alija Osmic is ordered into custody again. The custody may last until the end of the main trial,” the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina told Justice Report.

Alija Osmic, a former policeman with the 307th Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, and Western Operational Group of the ABiH, is charged with participation in the unlawful detention, murder and torture of Bosnian Croats from Bugojno, who were held in basements and garages in Bugojno, as well as “The Marxist Center – Cloister”, “Iskra” stadium detention camp and the BH Bank premises.

The Prosecution contends that all these crimes were committed from July 18, 1993 to March 19, 1994.

As per the Prosecution’s warrant, Osmic was arrested on September 9, 2009. After that he was ordered into one-month custody. On October 12 the Court upheld the Defence’s proposals, releasing Osmic to defend himself while at liberty, also pronouncing certain prohibiting measures.