Markovic: PTSD Symptom Triggers

On the basis of findings made by the Prosecution’s team of experts and the trial transcript, psychiatrist Mirjana Miskovic and psychologist Tatjana Dragisic concluded that, in the case of witness Z1, PTSD symptoms could have been caused by other traumatic events, like the fact that her father and brother were taken to prison.

“The conclusion made by a team of our colleagues, who examined witness Z1, is questionable, because they observed only PTSD symptoms. Those symptoms cannot be considered a diagnosis.

“Had they made a diagnosis, they would have said she suffered from a personality disorder caused by PTSD. It is evident that the witness has not sought medical assistance and she has had a normal social life. She got married three years later and gave birth to four children,” Miskovic said.

The Prosecution alleges that indictee Miodrag Markovic, former member of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, raped protected witness Z1, who was 16 at the time, in Dragalovci village, Doboj municipality in July 1992.

Z1 testified for the Prosecution on October 5, 2010. She identified Markovic in the courtroom, saying he was the person who had raped her.

Psychiatrist Alma Bravo-Mehmedbasic and clinical psychologist Elvedina Dervovic examined witness Z1 at the request by the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and presented their findings in the courtroom in October last year. They said that the witness suffered from “chronic PTSD caused by a traumatic rape experience”.

The Defence expert witnesses said they did not deny that the findings had been prepared in a competent way, but they could not make the same conclusions as their colleagues.

“Dervovic determined that the rape triggered the PTSD symptoms. I neither deny nor confirm that statement. The symptoms show that a traumatic event happened, but, by analysing the documents which have been submitted to us, we determined that some other traumatic events happened to her which could have also triggered the symptoms,” Dragisic said.

Psychiatrist Miskovic said that rape victims later avoid sexual intercourse, adding that this was not the case with witness Z1, who has “a functional and quality marriage”.

Responding to State Prosecutor Bozidarka Dodik’s questions, the two expert witnesses said that this was their first testimony about wartime rape victims. They agreed that personality and support from family, which witness Z1 has certainly had, can help avoid PTSD symptoms from growing into a personality disorder.

The next hearing is due to take place on March 16, 2011, when the Defence will complete the presentation of evidence by examining one witness and presenting material evidence.

A.S.