Reading or Hearing Testimonies

During a status conference held prior to the beginning of the retrial for Rogatica crimes a proposal is made not to invite witnesses and Prosecution’s experts, except neurologist and psychiatrist Alma Bravo-Mehmedbasic, to testify again.

The Prosecution proposed that statements, which the witnesses had given before, be either read or heard at the retrial.

The status conference was held after the Supreme Court of Republika Srpska rendered a decision in September this year, quashing a verdict, under which Dragisa Cacic, Milenko Cacic and Vojo Motika were acquitted of charges for crimes against the civilian population in Rogatica in 1992.

This verdict was pronounced after the District Prosecution in Eastern Sarajevo had appealed the first instance verdict.

On March 24 the Eastern Sarajevo District Court acquitted Dragisa and Milenko Cacic, as well as Vojo Motika, who were allegedly accompanied by another unknown person, of having killed Midhat Dzananovic and having wounded his 13-year old son Meho Dzananovic, whom they tortured, in the vicinity of Starcici village on August 8, 1992.

“The Prosecution sticks to all pieces of evidence presented before, including testimonies by four witnesses and three experts, as well as 24 pieces of material evidence. The disputable issues to which the Supreme Court pointed are not related to the facts, but they will enable rendering a different decision based on the law,” said Tarik Crnkic, Prosecutor with the Eastern Sarajevo District Prosecution.

Crnkic proposed that the witnesses and experts not be invited again, with the exception of medical doctor Alma Bavo-Mehmedbasic, who was not allowed to present her findings and opinion to a sufficient extent.

“The other witnesses testified consistently and sufficiently,” said Crnkic.

Indictee Vojo Motika did not attend the status conference. His Defence attorney Dragoslav Peric said that he had serious health problems, proposing to the Court to order his examination by an expert.

The Prosecution did not object to this proposal. Peric explained that Motika underwent medical treatment after having a stroke, from August 4 to 13 this year and that he had a disorder of consciousness “accompanied by epileptic attacks”.

The retrial continuation date will be set at a later stage.