Eso Macic Sentenced to 15 Years for Konjic Crimes
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Macic, former guard in Celebici, has been pronounced guilty of killing and beating prisoners.
The first instance Chamber determined that the indictee was responsible for the murder of Milorad Kuljanin, participating in the beating of Scepo Gotovac, who died after the beating, and three other cases of the physical abuse of prisoners.
Macic invited Kuljanin, an elderly civilian, to come out of the hangar on Eid in June 1992. He ordered him to roll in faeces, where prisoners defecated, and then shot him, said judge Jasmina Kosovic, Chairwoman of the Trial Chamber.
The Chamber failed to accept an alibi offered by the Defence, according to which the murder happened after the rifle accidentally fired a bullet.
Also, in June 1992 Macic and other guards participated in the beating of the elderly civilian Gotovac.
They beat him with their legs, fists and rifle butts, the Chamber determined, but it was not able to determine whether Macic made the lethal hit.
Macic was pronounced guilty of having participated in the beating of Momir Mrkajic and Velibor Mrkajic, who were then forced to enter a sewage tunnel within the detention camp complex, where several other prisoners had already been.
On the basis of compliant statements by witnesses, the Trial Chamber determined that Macic and other guards beat prisoners after a visit by the International Red Cross in August 1992. His alibi said that he was not a guard in the Celebici detention camp, but in Musala sports hall in Konjic at that time, was not accepted by the Court.
The Chamber considered the manner in which the crime was committed and inconsiderate behavior as aggravating circumstances. The fact that he has not been sentenced before has been considered a mitigating circumstance.
Macic was acquitted of two counts, charging him with beatings committed in the first half of 1993. He was acquitted of the charges that he took Branko Sinikovic from his house and hit him, telling him to thank God for the fact that he will be exchanged and beat Novo Mojevic up in the Musala hall in Konjic.
Macic, who defended himself while at liberty during the trial, has been ordered into custody.
The parties have the right to file an appeal against the first instance verdict with the Appellate Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A.J.
