Osmic Pleads Not Guilty

“I have read and understood the indictment. I plead not guilty,” Osmic told a preliminary hearing judge of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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, is charged with participation in the unlawful detention, torture and murder of Bosnian Croats from Bugojno, who were detained in basements and garages in Bugojno, as well as “The Marxist Center – Cloister”, the “Iskra” stadium detention camp and the premises of BH Banka.

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

Osmic is being held in custody. The custody was ordered on October 13, after a Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina terminated a number of previously ordered prohibiting measures.

Under the law, the trial of Osmic must begin within the next 60 days.

The trial of four former members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and police, who are charged with the same crimes, is underway before the War Crimes Chamber.