Local Justice – Mostar: Trial for “Vranica” Crimes Postponed

Trial Chamber Chairman Zoran Krtalic said that the trial was postponed due to the absence of Defence attorney Nenad Gvozdic, judges Tomislav Merdjo and Srecko Knezovic, as well as Edina Residovic, attorney representing the injured families.“The Court has recorded the absence of Nenad Gvozdic, Defence attorney of Mato Anicic. He has neither contacted the indictee nor explained his absence. I will inform the Attorney’s Chamber that Gvozdic has failed to appear in court. The attorney of the injured families and the lay magistrates are absent as well, but they have informed the Court that they are not able to attend the hearing. Residovic cannot attend the trial due to other obligations before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Merdjo and Knezovic are ill,” the Trial Chamber Chairman said.Krtalic pointed out that the Supreme Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested a completely new composition of judges and lay magistrates considering the fact that this was the fourth trial in the Vranica case.“The Court rendered a decision to request the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council to select jurors who belong to the Bosniak and Croat peoples. The date of the next hearing will be submitted in writing,” the Trial Chamber Chairman said.Mate Anicic, Ivan Skutor and Erhad Poznic, former members of military police with the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, are charged with crimes against the civilian population and prisoners of war.They are charged with having committed crimes after the HVO forces had attacked the Vranica residential complex in Mostar in May 1993. Thirteen members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH were later killed.