Extension of Custody for Branimir Tesic Requested

Prosecutor Dubravko Campara requested extension of custody, saying that, in case he would be released to liberty, Tesic might flee to Serbia and influence witnesses.

“The indictee lives in Serbia. His family lives in Serbia. He has no links to Bosnia and Herzegovina any more. Considering the fact that he has Serbian citizenship, in case he crosses the border, it will not be possible to ensure his presence at the trial,” Campara said.

Also, he said that, while at liberty, Tesic might influence witnesses and that the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH, had already had experience with a number of witnesses in other cases for Srebrenica genocide, who changed their statements due to fear and threats.

Tesic’s Defence attorney Danilo Mrkaljevic said that there were no reasons for the extension of custody, proposing to the Court of BiH to order prohibiting measures against the indictee.

“Although Tesic has the citizenship of Serbia, he worked in BiH until his retirement. Also, he has a family house in BiH. His wife is retired too, so she can come here and live with him in BiH. When he was invited by the State Investigation and Protection Agency, he came voluntarily, which shows that he does not have an intention to flee,” Mrkaljevic said.

According to the Defence attorney, the State Prosecution’s allegations regarding the potential influence on witnesses were unfounded, considering the fact that the witnesses would not change their statements provided that their statements were taken correctly and without coercion.

At the end of the hearing indictee Tesic requested the Court of BiH to release him to liberty, saying that he did not have an intention to flee, because he wanted to prove his innocence.

The State Court will render a decision regarding the custody extension motion at a later stage.

Tesic is charged, along with Miodrag Josipovic, former Chief of the Public Safety Station in Bratunac, with having assisted in and supported the commission of genocide in Srebrenica in the period from July 12 to 19, 1995.

The Prosecution of BiH charges Josipovic and Tesic with having participated in the supervision and forced relocation of the civilian population from Potocari on July 12 and 13, separation of men from their families, transportation and detention of more than 1,000 Bosniak men and boys in Bratunac.

The Court of BiH confirmed the indictment on October 3 this year.

Tesic was arrested at the beginning of September this year. He was ordered into custody due to a danger that he might flee and influence witnesses and accomplices. Prohibiting measures, including a ban on leaving his place or residence and contacting witnesses and accomplices, were ordered against Josipovic.