Gazdic: Custody Extended

Gazdic could remain i custody for a maximum of three years.

State Prosecutor Dzevad Muratbegovic said that the Prosecution considered that, now that the indictment against Gazdic had been confirmed, the Court should order custody extension for the indictee due to “a possibility that he may flee or influence witnesses”.

“We regard that a real danger of flight would exist should the indictee be released to liberty,” Muratbegovic said.

The Defence of Gazdic said that there were no elements for extending the custody for the indictee, proposing to the Court to order prohibiting measures instead. “All of the witnesses whom the Prosecution mentions in the indictment, are protected. Hence, my client cannot influence the witnesses, as he does not even know who they are,” said Dusko Tomic, Defence attorney of indictee Gazdic.

The indictee said that he could stay in a family apartment in Foca, adding that he would report to a police station every day, if need be.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Gazdic, former member of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, with having treated Bosniak female persons, who were unlawfully held in “Partizan” sports hall in Foca, in an inhumane manner from the beginning of April 1992 to the end of March 1993.

The State Prosecution’s indictment alleges that Gazdic came to apartments and the “Partizan” sports hall, where civilians were detained, and took females, including minor girls, away.