Local Justice – Boljak: Three Years in Prison
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The Court previously accepted a guilt admission agreement that Boljak concluded with the Cantonal Prosecution in Sarajevo.
Boljak, former member of the Ilidza Brigade with the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, admitted guilt for all three counts, charging him with abuse, inhumane treatment and the unlawful detention of civilians in Ilidza and Semizovac in 1992 and 1993.
Boljak was sentenced according to the Criminal Code of the former Yugoslavia, instead of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina, under which he was charged.
The minimal sentence foreseen under the Criminal Code of the former Yugoslavia is five years, but the Chamber has reduced it, bearing in mind the significance and type of actions described in the indictment, said Trial Chamber Chairwoman Dalida Burzic.
Despite objections by the Defence, following the pronouncement of the verdict, the Trial Chamber approved a motion filed by the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution and ordered a nine-month extension of custody for Boljak.
Custody has been extended because of certain circumstances that indicate that the criminal proceedings would be interrupted by releasing him to liberty until the pronouncement of a second instance verdict, the Trial Chamber Chairwoman said.
Boljak has been held in custody since October 19, 2011.
M.B.
