Goran Saric’s Verdict on November 20

Presenting closing arguments at Saric’s retrial, prosecutor Marijana Cobovic briefly said that she believes that Prosecution proved the allegations from the indictment and that she stands behind the closing statement presented during the initial trial.

“The Prosecution believes that there was enough evidence that court could sentence defendant,” prosecutor Cobovic said.

The Defence also said that they stay behind the previous closing statement and pointed out that Prosecution failed to prove the crime defendant is charged with.

“I suggest the court to acquit Mr. Saric,” said Ozrenka Jaksic, defendant’s attorney.

Saric, a former chief of the Public Safety Station in the wartime Serb municipality of Centar, was convicted in August 2013 for supervising and participating in the separation of three groups of men, who were in the Jagomir psychiatric hospital, after they were detained on June 19 1992.

The Trial chamber concluded that the part of the prisoners was sent to the area under the control of Bosnian Army, 29 of them were taken to the Vogosca camp, while the third group was left, and their bodies were found at the location of Skakavac.

On June 30, appeal chamber of the Bosnian court quashed the verdict sentencing Saric to 14 years in prison for the crime committed in the Sarajevo settlement of Nahorevo.

The retrial started on September 23 with the listening of witnesses’ testimonies, and the Prosecution and Defence did not have new evidence.

The final verdict will be handed down on November 20.