Local Justice – Krkalic: Jelah Crimes Verdict “Maximally Reduced”

Krkalic, a Bosniak, was found guilty of physically abusing three Serb civilians during interrogations in June and July 1992 in the “LM” restaurant in the village of Jelah, in Central Bosnia.

Nermin Tesnjak, the presiding judge of the Trial Chamber, explained the verdict by saying that “despite efforts from the defence to prove the contrary, testimonies from plaintiffs Vlado Nunic, and Branislav and Marinko Ristic were assessed as credible and reliable.”

“Krkalic apprehended and physically abused civilians under protection of international conventions, doing it in an official capacity without having orders, authorization or writing it down in records,” said judge Tesnjak.

Judge Tesnjak called the one-year prison sentence “maximally reduced,” and reasoned that Krkalic behaved commendably during the trial, that he was a family man and that the Trial Chamber took in consideration that the plaintiffs were not imprisoned for a long period.

“The plaintiffs did not suffer more severe bodily injuries, although it has been proven beyond doubt that they were physically abused at the time and suffered great pain,” said the presiding judge.

Ramo Ajkic, the defendant’s lawyer, announced appeal to the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressing disappointment with the court’s decision.

“Detailed analysis of all the fact shows that there is not enough evidence that Atif Krkalic committed the act he was charged with,” said Ajkic.

Trial of Krkalic began in February, and the defendant has been released on bail pending the final verdict.
Dz.S.