Defendant in Busovaca War Crimes Trial Dies

Marinic’s lawyer, Branka Praljak, told BIRN that the defendant died on Sunday and was buried the day afterwards.

“He was referred to a hospital even before the last hearing, but we could not inform the court about it because of the [public] holiday [in Bosnia]. That is why I insisted that he come and testify, which is why I feel terrible now,” said Praljak.

Marinic and another defendant, Zoran Milic, both former members of the Croatian Defence Council, were on trial for allegedly participating in the murders of four Bosniak civilians in Busovaca in central Bosnia in April 1993 – all members of the same family.

Marinic testified in his own defence on October 17, three days before his death, blaming Milic for firing gunshots in two houses in Busovaca.

The court said it had been informed about Marinic’s death and would terminate the proceedings against him when it received a death certificate.

The trial of Milic will resume on October 31.