Bastah: Motion Discussed in Absence of Public

The Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina considered the motion for renewal of the trial of Predrag Bastah, but, due to the fact that certain names were mentioned, the public was excluded from that part of the session.

In April 2011 the second instance verdict was pronounced, sentencing Bastah, former reserve policeman with the Public Safety Station in Vlasenica, for having participated in the murder of civilians, unlawful detention, forcible disappearances and resettlement of the population.

Bastah requested the Court to renew his trial on the basis of “new facts, pieces of evidence and information, which could not be presented during the trial”.

The Criminal Proceedings Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina stipulates that, following the completion of a second instance trial, a new trial may be held in case it is proved that the verdict is based on a false document or statement, that the verdict was pronounced owing to a crime committed by the judge or the person who conducted the investigation and that new facts or pieces of evidence are presented.

Goran Viskovic, former member of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, was sentenced, under the same verdict as Bastah, to 18 years in prison for crimes against humanity in Vlasenica.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will render its decision concerning the motion at a later stage.