Muderizovic et al: Custody Extended

According to the decision of the State court, Muderizovic and Avdovic can reamin in custody for up to two years. The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina has asked for custody considering that, should they be released to liberty, indictees Muderizovic and Avdovic might influence witnesses, adding that they have already done that. The Prosecution documented its allegations in a report issued by the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA.

At the same time it requested the Court to order prohibiting measures against Vintila, which would include a ban on leaving his place of residence, temporary seizure of his travel documents and an obligation to report to a police station every week.

The Defence of Muderizovic and Avdovic proposed to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to decline the custody extension motion and order prohibiting measures instead, while the Defence of Vintila called on the Court not to pronounce prohibiting measures against its client.

According to the charges, Muderizovic was Deputy Manager on the fifth floor of the District Prison in Sarajevo and Commander of a military prison in “Viktor Bubanj” barracks, Avdovic was Commander of Guards in those facilities and Vintila, born in Romania, was a cook and guard in the former barracks.

The indictment alleges that, acting as deliberate participants in a joint criminal enterprise, the indictees participated in the establishment and maintenance of a system for abuse of Serb civilians from late June to late November 1992.

“We question the correctness of the SIPA report. We consider the reasons for custody extension unfounded. The Prosecution has not proved that the indictee might influence the witnesses, who have already been examined, by staying at liberty,” said Emir Kapidzic, Defence attorney of indictee Muderizovic.

The Defence attorney of indictee Avdovic said that the official note made by SIPA members was false, adding that the indictee had not influenced the witness.

“All the allegations contained in the SIPA report are incorrect. If I am guilty, I should be tried, but SIPA is telling lies. I neither visited the witness nor influenced him,” indictee Avdovic said.

Indictee Muderizovic told the Court that he did not have an intention to influence witnesses.

The Defence of indictee Vintila said that it was not necessary to order prohibiting measures against its client, particularly the obligation to report to the police station, given the fact that the indictee was a policeman himself.

Muderizovic and Avdovic were arrested in October this year. They have been held in custody since. Vintila is defending himself while at liberty.S.U.