Bosnian Serb Soldier Jailed for Raping Teenager

The cantonal court in Bihac convicted Solesa on Friday in a case that was closed to the public because of its sensitivity.

Presiding judge Jasminka Karabegovic said the victim “described the rape clearly and in details” and pointed to Solesa as the person who raped her for several times, which is the reason trial chamber gave her credence.

“The defence tried to discredit the victim by claiming that she had financial motives, but that claim was unacceptable for the trial chamber,” Karabegovic said.

The judge said that psychologists had confirmed that the victim had come forward because prosecuting the perpetrator would ease her mental anguish.

According to judge Karabegovic, prosecution witnesses’ statements also proved he was present at the crime scene.

The verdict can be appealed at the supreme court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.