Examination of Defence Witnesses Begins

The Trial Chamber rendered a decision concerning the change of sequence of presentation of evidence after the Prosecution proposed reading of statements given by two witnesses.
 
After having submitted medical documents to the Defence and Court, Prosecutor Cazim Hasanspahic proposed that the statements given by protected witness S-6 and Selma Hasanbegovic be read, considering their bad health.  

Witness S-6 had an eye surgery and has problems with his other eye, while the other witness has broken both legs. It is evident that these witnesses cannot appear in Court in order to give their statements,” said Hasanspahic.
 
The Defence of the indictees objected to this proposal, saying that the conditions for reading the statements had not been met.  

Trial Chamber Chairwoman Zeljka Marenic said that the sequence of presentation of evidence would be changed, considering the fact that the witnesses were not currently able to appear in court and that this did not imply that they were permanently incapable of coming.
 
Marinko and Zoran  Bjelica, as well as Novica Tripkovic, are on trial for crimes committed in Kalinovik. The former members of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, are charged with having participated in the murder and torture of Bosniak civilians, who were detained in the “Miladin Radojevic” school building in Kalinovik, in August 1992.       

The trial is due to continue on November 26, when three witnesses will testify in defence of Marinko Bjelica.