Local Justice – Markovic: Trial for Sokolac Crimes Begins

19. September 2011.00:00
The trial of Milan Markovic, who is charged with crimes in the Sokolac area, begins with reading of the indictment and the presentation of introductory statements before the District Court in Eastern Sarajevo.

Mirza Hukeljic, Prosecutor with the District Prosecution in Eastern Sarajevo, said that he would prove that indictee Milan Markovic committed the crime charged upon him under the indictment. The indictment alleges that Markovic, a former member of “7536 Military Post in Han Pijesak” with the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, is charged with having beaten up and physically abused civilians, who were held in detention in Sokolac municipality, from June 1992 to March 1993.

According to the charges, in September 1992 Markovic beat up two prisoners using a metal stick and baton in the police station premises in Sokolac.

The District Prosecution alleges that Markovic physically abused a prisoner in “Petar Kocic” school building in Cavarine village, Sokolac municipality.

The Defence of the indictee said that it would present its evidence presentation plan once the District Prosecution had completed the presentation of its evidence, adding that it would prove that indictee
Markovic had not committed the crime charges upon him.

“The District Prosecution will prove what the indictee’s status was when the crimes were committed and also what the injured parties’ status was,” Prosecutor Hukeljic said, adding that 19 witnesses would be examined during the course of the main trial.

The trial is due to continue on October 11 this year, when the first District Prosecution witnesses will be examined.S.U.