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The trial of Ramiz Avdovic and Iulian-Nicolae Vintila, who are charged with crimes in the Central Prison and former “Viktor Bubanj” military barracks, has been postponed, as a State Prosecution witness fails to appear in court, because he received death threats.
Prosecutor Dzevad Muratbegovic told the Court that the witness, who was due to testify at this hearing, told him over the phone that he was afraid of appearing before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Somebody called him over the phone, cursed him and threatened him by saying that he would kill him in case he testified in court,” Muratbegovic said, adding that the phone came from an unknown male.
Muratbegovic announced that the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, would conduct an investigation and determine where the threatening call had come from.
The Defence of indictees Avdovic and Vintila requested the Trial Chamber not to give up the investigation, adding that they were sure that it would be proved that their clients were not responsible for that.
Avdovic and Vintila are charged with having participated, as members of a joint criminal enterprise, in the establishment and maintenance of a system for abuse of Serb civilians from June to the end of November 1992.
The indictment alleges that Avdovic was Commander of guards, while Vintila was a cook and guard in the former military barracks.
As the hearing continued, the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented five pieces of material evidence, including a daily report about prisoners in former “Viktor Bubanj” military barracks from October 1992, certificates issued by the International Red Cross and a report on the examination of one witness.
The trial is due to continue on June 14.
