Pelemis and Peric: Unable to Prevent Genocide

After the Defence of Momir Pelemis completed its presentation of evidence, Slavko Peric’s Defence announced it would examine 18 witnesses in an attempt to deny the Prosecution’s allegations about the second indictee’s role in genocide committed in Srebrenica.

“It is evident that Peric was on duty in that period. However, Peric was not in a position to participate in the design of a plan covering prisoners held on Branjevo military farm, nor did he know what was going to happen in the Cultural Center in Pilica. He was therefore not able to prevent the horrible crime,” said Miodrag Stojanovic, Defence attorney of indictee Peric.

Stojanovic said that his client was not aware that Bosniaks who were detained in the Cultural Center in Pilica would “be summarily executed”.

The State Prosecution has charged Momir Pelemis, former Deputy Commander and Chief of Headquarters of the First Battalion with Zvornik Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, and Slavko Peric, former Assistant Commander with the same Battalion, with having participated in genocide committed in Srebrenica in July 1995.

The indictment alleges that on July 15 and 16, 1995, about 600 Bosniaks were detained in inhumane conditions in the Cultural Center in Pilica. It further alleges that VRS members “summarily executed them” in the building and its immediate vicinity on July 16.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina considers that the two indictees knew about the murders.

Presenting his introductory arguments, Stojanovic said the Defence would try to prove that Srebrenica was not a demilitarized zone, but rather that Bosniak residents were armed in July 1995.

“Richard Butler, who testified for the Prosecution, confirmed to this Court that Srebrenica was not a demilitarized zone, which means it could not have been a protected zone, as stated in the indictment, because Bosniak residents walked in front of UNPROFOR soldiers carrying arms,” Stojanovic said.

Peric’s Defence attorney said that the Defence would examine two expert witnesses during the course of its presentation of evidence, adding it would also examine a few members of UNPROFOR’s Dutch Battalion as witnesses.

The next hearing is due to continue on November 22, when the first two witnesses will testify in Slavko Peric’s defence.

                                                                                                                                   D.E.