Verdict against Hadzic and Hodzic on Friday

Presenting his closing statement before the Basic Court of Brcko District, Muhamed Lisic, Defence attorney of indictee Hadzic, pointed out that the two indictees should be acquitted of charges, considering that the acts described in the indictment did not represent crimes.
 
“During the course of the trial the Brcko District Prosecution has not proved the identity of the person, who committed the anti-legal actions described in all 17 counts of the indictment. Besides that, the Prosecution has not proved the existence of circumstances that could lead to injuries, like torture, inhumane treatment, causing of severe suffering and injuries of bodily integrity and health,” Lisic said.
 
Hadzic and Hodzic are charged with having participated in the torture of Serb civilians and prisoners of war from the Bukvik area during 1992 and 1993. According to the charges, Hadzic was member of the Public Safety Station in Brcko, while Hodzic was military policeman of HVO, who also worked as security guard in detention camps in that period of time.
 
Osman Mulahalilovic, Defence attorney of indictee Nijaz Hodzic said, presenting his closing statement, that the crimes described in the indictment “are not classified as war crimes” according to the practices of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH.
 
“The evidence presented during the trial does not offer a reliable basis for determining, beyond reasonable doubt, that the indictee caused severe suffering or injuries of the injured parties or injuries of their mental or physical health by his actions,” said Mulahalilovic.
 
The Brcko District Prosecution previously requested the Basic Court to pronounce a verdict of conviction.