Jukic’s Verdict On January 15

The lawyer, Irena Pehar, said that there was no broad and systematic attack on Bosniak civilians in the territory of Prozor in 1992 and 1993, only “attack of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Croatian Defence Council and local Croatian population”.

“Why would the Croatian Defence Council attack some civilians, when it already had full control over the Prozor municipality? The truth is only one and that is that there was no broad and systematic attack of the Croatian Defence Council units, only defence aimed at preserving centennial hearths”, said Pehar.

Speaking about the role of the accused, the lawyer said that in 1992 and 1993 Jukic was a member of the special purposes detachment of the Croatian Defence Council which was stationed at the Kupres mountain on the frontline with the Army of Republika Srpska.

“Jukic was a young man and during the period specified in the indictment he was on the frontline with the Serbs. Even if there had been a concrete attack, he could not have known there were plans to ethnically cleanse the Prozor municipality from Bosniaks,” said Pehar.

According to the lawyer, witnesses for the prosecution who spoke of Jukic’s involvement in the beatings of Bosniaks in the villages of Duge, Lug and Lapsunj, taking of civilians from the high school centre in Prozor and escorting of the bus to Dretelj – were confused and unclear.

“The Prosecution’s evidence was absolutely based on subjective proof – fabricated witness testimonies which failed to prove Jukic is guilty. They all described the accused differently, some were saying he had a ponytail, camouflage uniform. There were no two identical descriptions,” said Pehar, adding that the defence proved that Jukic wore a “crew cut and green uniform” in 1993.

According to the lawyer, witnesses for the defence who spoke about Jukic not leaving Kupres between July and September, 1993, were “convincing and synchronised”.

Jukic also addressed the Trial Chamber saying he was innocent and that “it is very hard for him to listen to these horrible accusations”.

“Had I done a single act from the indictment I would have confessed to it all, but I never committed a crime, neither against Bosniaks nor anyone else,” said Jukic.

The State prosecution in its closing argument asked that Jukic be found guilty of expulsion and other crimes against Bosniaks committed in Prozor, and to be sentenced to a maximum prison sentence.

Jukic has been remanded in custody since late 2011, and his trial started in April next year.

The Trial Chamber will pass the verdict on January 15.