Trial for Multiple Rape in Odzak Begins
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Marijan Brnjic, Martin Barukcic, Pavo and Ilija Glavas, former members of the 102nd Brigade of HVO in Odzak, are charged, under five counts, with having taken victims from various locations to houses and other buildings in the Odzak area, where they raped, beat, abused, threatened and humiliated them, in the summer of 1992.
According to the charges, the four indictees raped protected witness D-2, among others, at the beginning of the summer of 1992. It is alleged that Barukcic and the Glavas’ forced her to give them oral sex and then raped her, Brnjic pushed her to a bed and, despite her screaming and resistance, beat her and anally raped her.
Prosecutor Miroslav Janjic said, presenting his introductory statement, that the Prosecution would prove that the indictees deliberately committed crimes against civilians, more precisely Serb women.
The Defence of Brnjic and Barukcic said that they would prove that their clients did not commit the crimes described in the indictment, while the Defence of the Glavas brothers said that they would deny that the brothers were present in Odzak when the crimes were committed.
“We shall not deny the allegations that there was a conflict between HVO and VRS in Odzak and that rape was committed, but we shall deny the participation and presence of Pavo Glavas,” said Defence attorney Branka Praljak.
She mentioned that, at the time Pavo Glavas worked and lived in Switzerland, adding that she would prove that by presenting material evidence and examining Defence witnesses.
The Defence of indictee Ilija Glavas said that the indictee was not in BiH during the incriminated period of time and that it would present its proposed list of evidence once the Prosecution had completed the presentation of its evidence.
The first witness is due to appear and testify before the Court of BiH on October 28.
