Alija Osmic in Detention
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Under the first instance verdict, pronounced on March 4, Osmic was found guilty of war crimes against prisoners of war who were held in various locations in Bugojno, and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Due to the duration of the pronounced sentence, the Court ordered him into custody “by force of law”.
Because the indictee, who had been defending himself while at liberty, failed to attend the pronouncement of the verdict, an arrest warrant was issued by the State Court.
“Osmic has been arrested. He is held in custody,” the State Court’s Public Relations Section said.
The former member of the Military Police Unit with the 307th Motorized Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was pronounced guilty of having participated, from July 18, 1993 to March 19, 1994, in crimes committed against Bosnian Croats in Bugojno. The first instance verdict says that Osmic “personally committed murders and caused severe suffering and bodily injuries to detainees”.
Osmic was first arrested in September 2009. In April 2010 he was allowed to defend himself while at liberty under certain prohibiting measures.
The trial began on December 28, 2009. At the trial of Osmic, 17 Prosecution witnesses, 12 Defence witnesses and one court expert were examined and many pieces of material evidence presented.
