Vlahovic: Severely Traumatized Witnesses

State Prosecutor Behaija Krnjic argued that there were objective reasons for extending the custody of suspect Vlahovic, such as the danger that he might attempt to flee, influence witnesses and accomplices and “pose a real threat to public order” if released to liberty.

“The witnesses are still severely traumatized. More than 90 percent of them have asked for protection measures for one single reason – they are still afraid for their lives. Most victims have returned to their pre-war places of residence, in the area where Vlahovic was located during the course of the war. By releasing him to liberty, he might try to find and influence them,” Prosecutor Krnjic said, explaining the Prosecution’s reasoning behind the custody extension motion.

The State Prosecution suspects that Vlahovic participated in crimes against Bosniak and Croat civilians committed in 1992. He is suspected of having committed murder with firearms. He is suspected of having abused, robbed, raped and forcibly taken away many civilians from their apartments in the Grbavica and Vraca districts in Sarajevo. Those civilians have since been missing.

On August 26 Vlahovic was extradited from Spain to Bosnian judicial institutions. He was arrested in Spain in March this year on suspicion of having committed several crimes in the country.

The Prosecution also requested the Court extend custody of Vlahovic because he is not a Bosnian citizen and has no permanent or temporary place of residence in the country.

Radivoje Lazarevic, Defence attorney for suspect Vlahovic, said that he had communicated with his client for the first time “15 minutes ago”, adding that he still had not reviewed all the materials he received from the Prosecution. Nevertheless, he said that the decision about the eventual custody extension “rests with the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

Suspect Vlahovic addressed the Court, saying he did not know which crimes were being discussed, but he did not object to staying in custody.

“I do not object to the custody measure. It is your legal right to order it. I can only say that the witnesses’ statements have been edited. They contain a lot of untrue allegations. However, I have realized that the media have already sentenced me in this country and they can now pronounce a verdict against me as well,” Vlahovic said.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will render its decision concerning the custody extension motion at a later stage.