Local Justice – Sarajevo: Trial of Ibrahim Ceco Begins

Aida Catovic, Prosecutor with the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution, said that she would prove that the indictee committed the crime charged upon him.“We shall prove, during the evidence presentation process, that Ibrahim Ceco committed the crime in the way and at the time and place described under the indictment,” Catovic said.Catovic told the Court that, through the examination of an injured party and medical court expert, as well as presentation of material evidence, she would prove that the indictee committed crimes against the civilian population.Sadik Hota, Defence attorney of the indictee, said that the Defence would not use its right to present introductory arguments.The indictment filed by the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution alleges that Ibrahim Ceco, former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, physically abused Serb civilians, while they were digging trenches at a locality in Dobrinja 5 on September 18, 1992.The Prosecution alleges that indictee Ceco slapped and hit two civilians on their heads and other body parts and took them, in collaboration with a soldier nicknamed Seki, to a basement of a building in Dobrinja, where they ordered them to lie down and continued abusing them.“Ceco hit injured party S.V. on his chest several times by kicking him, while wearing his military boots. The injured party lost conscience and received severe bodily injures, like fractures of a few ribs,” the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution’s indictment alleges.According to the charges, another soldier came to the basement and told them to stop hitting the civilians. Ceco then allegedly ordered the injured parties to get up, continued hitting them with his fists and legs and then took them to the local community premises. After that they were transferred to “Sunce” prison in Dobrinja.Indictee Ceco is defending himself while at liberty.The trial is due to continue on March 23 this year.A.S.