Custody Extension Motion

The Prosecution requested an extension of custody due to a possibility that the suspects might flee and influence witnesses and accomplices. The Defence teams said that there were no grounds for extending the custody measures, proposing to the Court to order prohibiting measures against the suspects.

Prosecutor Miroslav Janjic said that suspects Brnjic and Pavo and Ilija Glavas had citizenship of another country and that there was a possibility that they might flee. Also, he said that one of the witnesses had already been influences, so there was still a fear that the suspects might influence witnesses or accomplices while at liberty.
 
“One of the witnesses in this case has been influenced. She died one day later. Two witnesses have already expressed fear for their own safety and particularly for the safety of their family members,” the Prosecutor said.

Rifet Konjic, Defence attorney of the first suspect, said that the threats to the witness and her death should not be linked, because the cause of her death was not determined. Also, he said that the witnesses had already been examined, so there were no grounds for ordering the suspects into custody.

“I do not have an intention to flee because I am clear that this crime does not fall under statute of limitations and that one can be tried for it anywhere. I have collected evidence, proving that I was not present in that area,” suspect Brnjic said, adding that his health condition deteriorated due to his stay in custody.

Brnjic, Barkcic and the Glavases are suspected of multiple rapes, torture and humiliating sexual abuse of Serb women in the Odzak area in the summer of 1992.

According to the charges, they brought victims from various locations to houses and other buildings in the Odzak area, where they raped them, beat them, abused and humiliated them. As announced in the State Prosecution’s announcement, they were members of the 102nd Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, in Odzak at that time.

Brnjic, Barukcic and the Glavases were arrested in April. They have been held in custody since. The indictment against them was filed on July 16.
 
The Defence of Pavo Glavas said that there was no evidence that the suspect committed the crime charged upon him or that he had hidden from judicial bodies.

“Leaving the country is not in my interest. I have nothing to do with this case. I consider that I should not be here at all,” Pavo Glavas said.

Anto Lukac, Defence attorney of suspect Barukcic, said that the extension of custody for his client was requested due to a possibility that he might influence witnesses, but there were no reasons for that.
 
The Court of BiH will render a decision concerning the custody extension motion at a later stage.