Kuvelja: Partial Admission of Guilt

The Court of BiH had ordered Kuvelja into custody, at the request of the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because of concern that Kuvelja might influence witnesses and accomplices while at liberty and because the public order might be disturbed.

Kuvelja, former member of the Jahorina Training Center with the Special Police Brigade of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, MUP RS, is suspected of having participated in the murder of several dozen men at the Kravica Agricultural Cooperative in July 1995.

The State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA arrested Kuvelja in Cajnice area on January 18 this year.

Explaining the custody order motion, State Prosecutor Ibro Bulic said that “there is an unquestionable and grounded suspicion” that Kuvelja is guilty of the murders committed in Kravica.

“While giving his statement to the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina the suspect gave a partial admission by saying that he was present at the location where the mass executions took place and took an active role in the crime. He said that, acting on an order given by the Squad Commander, he shot at a group of prisoners with a machine gun,” Bulic said.

Izet Bazdarevic, the Defence attorney of the suspect, said he did not deny the existence of “a suspicion that he is guilty”, adding that “home detention would be a much more adequate measure”.

“The crime was committed 15 years ago. My client has not influenced or attempted to influence anyone in the period since then. In addition, I do not think we can speak about the disturbance of public peace knowing the crime was committed so many years ago,” Bazdarevic said.

Seven former members of the Jahorina Training Center of MUP RS have been charged before the State Court for the murders committed in Kravica in July 1995. Milivoje Cirkovic, former member of that Squad, was sentenced to five years in prison after having admitted guilt.

D.Dz.