Bojadzic: Custody Order Motion

State Prosecutor Vesna Budimir explained that the custody order motion was filed due to a danger that the indictee might flee, a possibility that he might influence witnesses and accomplices and there existed “a real threat to public order and peace”.

The Defence objected to the Prosecution’s motion, saying that the reasons for the custody motion were “extremely groundless”.

Bojadzic, former Deputy Commander of “Zulfikar” Special Purposes Squad with the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, is charged with crimes in Jablanica.

The State Prosecution’s confirmed indictment alleges that Bojadzic is charged with having participated in crimes against Croat civilians and captured members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO in the “Bitka na Neretvi” Museum premises in the summer of 1993.

According to the charges, Bojadzic participated in the torture, inhumane treatment, forcing people to perform physical labour, causing severe bodily injuries, sexual abuse and rape.

Explaining the reasons for the custody order motion, Prosecutor Budimir said that Bojadzic had citizenship of Serbia too and that his brothers lived in Novi Pazar, which “increases the risk of his flight”.

Besides that, she said that the indictee “threatened witnesses and co-participants in this crime” several times during the course of the investigation.

“Prosecution witness B was granted protection measures, because he did not want his name being publicly mentioned in this case. Explaining the reasons for his request, he said that he knew that Bojadzic’s defence was financed by ‘an international organizations involved in drug distribution and sale’, so he was afraid for his family’s safety,” Budimir said.

Edina Residovic, Defence attorney of indictee Bojadzic, said that the indictee “has never influenced anybody” and that “witness B’s allegations are completely untrue”.

“I consider that the Prosecution’s stand and the fact that it has not checked witness B’s allegations are extremely incorrect and unprofessional towards the indictee and his Defence. Those are a bunch of insinuations and untrue allegations, which the Prosecution should have checked prior to presenting them in court,” Residovic said.

Bojadzic is on trial before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the murder of 18 civilians and four HVO members in Trusina village, Konjic municipality on April 16, 1993. He has been held in custody since his arrest at the beginning of November 2009.

Besides Bojadzic, Mensur Memic, Dzevad Salcin, Senad Hakalovic, Nedzad Hodzic and Zulfikar Alispago are on trial for crimes in Trusina village.

The Court will render a decision concerning the custody order motion at a later stage.D.E.