Verdict against Scuk on October 3

Presenting her closing statement, Prosecutor Vesna Pranjic pointed out that witnesses described clearly how the indictee killed Iva Pavlovic in Krkaca hamlet on July 28, 1993, while Defence attorney Nijaz Djuliman pointed out that, on the basis of witnesses statements, it was not clear who committed the murder.

The Mostar Cantonal Court scheduled the pronouncement of the verdict for October 3.

Prosecutor Pranjic mentioned witness Ruza Tutis statement, in which the witness said that Scuk entered their house and asked for weapons.

“He asked us if we had a gun. My sister answered negatively. Zehrudin Scuk found a gun in our house, approached her and said: ‘You are in trouble now.’ He then shot her in her neck. She fell to the ground. There was a lot of blood,” Pranjic said, reminding the Court of the witness’ testimony.

She said that other witnesses described the happenings, which confirmed the allegations from the indictment.

“When pronouncing the verdict, the Court should consider the fact that Iva Pavlovic was a mentally underdeveloped person as an aggravating circumstance,” the Prosecutor said.

Attorney Nijaz Djuliman said that the Prosecution had not managed to prove his client’s guilt and that Defence witnesses confirmed that he had been in the Simun’s houses area the whole time.

According to the Defence’s allegations, Prosecution witnesses’ statements were contradictory and aimed at causing damage to his client. As an example, he mentioned the testimonies by Anica Zelenika and her son Dragan.

“In his testimony Dragan Zelenika said that he, sort of, remembered later on that the indictee took him out from his house in order to shoot him and that a member of ABiH prevented him from doing it. How come that his mother, who was present at that location, does not remember that event,” Djuliman said.

He said that his client’s brother was indicted originally, but, when he died, the whole case was pointed towards Zehrudin Scuk.