Raguz’s Defence against Untrue Testimony

Defence attorney Branko Karadeglic presented 12 pieces of material evidence, including a report made by the Mostar Cantonal Court about an examination of witness Zijo Vukicevic during an investigation against Veselko Raguz in 2012.
By presenting the report and Esad Ratkusic’s statement, which was given before that same Court, Karadeglic wanted to prove that the witnesses did not tell the truth. Among the pieces of evidence he presented were two topographic maps, showing the distribution of Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian Defence Council, HVO, and Republika Srpska Army, VRS, forces, with a focus on the distribution of members of the Fourth Battalion in the field.

He also presented a letter from the “Knez Domagoj” First Brigade of HVO from March 16, 1993, which, as said by attorney Karadeglic, would prove that members of the Fourth Battalion of that Brigade performed defensive activities in their zone of responsibility only. The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina objected to authenticity of this piece of evidence.

Documents issued by the Herceg-Bosna Croatian Community and HVO in 1993 were presented as well. By presenting those documents, the Defence showed the reaction by those bodies to an ABiH’s attack and disarming of Muslims in HVO units.
The Prosecution will respond to most pieces of evidence later on.

“Exclusively for the Prosecutor, I am including in the case file a wedding registry record, showing that Janja and Veselko Raguz got married on August 7, 1993,” Karadeglic said.

Veselko Raguz, former Commander of the Fourth Battalion with the “Knez Domagoj” Brigade of HVO, is charged with having ordered and participated in the arrest and detention of civilians from Stolac and Capljina during the summer of 1993.
He is on trial along with Ivo Raguz, former member of that Brigade, who is charged with having participated in the abuse of detainees.

The first and only witness of indictee Ivo Raguz’ Defence is due to be examined at the next hearing.

The Defence of the first indictee will examine one more witness. Also, it requested that a military expert conduct an expert analysis of all pieces of material evidence presented both by the Defence teams and the Prosecution.

According to the schedule of hearing, this trial is due to continue on September 18.