Kornjaca: Expert Examination of Indictee Prior to Evidence Presentation

“Considering the fact that his health condition has abruptly deteriorated, I propose that the examination be conducted by an internal medicine expert. My client has developed a number of new diseases,” said Milana Borovcanin-Bulic, Defence attorney of indictee Kornjaca.

She said that she would request the expert witness to say how long the indictee could attend the trial in one go. Court experts previously determined that Kornjaca’s health condition was such that he was only capable of following the trial for up to 90 minutes.
Besides that, the Defence proposed that a psychiatric examination of the indictee be conducted.

Kornjaca, former Commander of the “Plavi orlovi” (“Blue Eagles”) paramilitary unit, is on trial for the persecution of Bosniaks from the Cajnice area that included the murder of 26 civilians at Mostina in May 1992.

Prosecutor Dzevad Muratbegovic said that he did not have any documents suggesting that the indictee’s health had deteriorated. He left it up to the Trial Chamber to make the final decision. The Chamber accepted the Defence’s proposals.

“Feel free to approach any expert witness of your choice. Submit the findings to the Court, in case it suits you. Inform us about everything within the next 15 days,” said Trial Chamber Chairman Darko Samardzic.

The Defence, which previously proposed that Kornjaca presented his defence at the beginning of the evidence presentation process, said at this hearing, that it would like the medical expert examinations to be conducted first.

The trial is due to continue on January 30.