Trial of Tepic and Others Postponed until Further Notice

Acting upon an order by the Bosnian state prosecution, medical court expert and surgeon Nikica Sutalo reviewed Bojic’s medical documentation. Bojic had undergone surgery to remove an abdominal tumor.

“According to the pathologist’s findings, he had a malignant transformation of lymphocytes. Such tumors belong to a group of tumors of moderate risk, but the disease itself can be fatal,” Sutalo said, presenting his findings.

Sutalo said patients suffering from this kind of disease were supposed to be hospitalized and undergo chemotherapy, as well as X-ray therapy. As such, Bojic wouldn’t be able to participate in the trial or travel for the next six months.

“It can’t be excluded that the defendant will be able to travel and follow the trial between therapy treatments, but there’s always a danger of certain unwanted factors, like catching a cold, pneumonia and even sepsis,” Sutalo said. He said Bojic’s old age should also be taken into account as well.

According to Sutalo, his final findings on Bojic’s health could be presented following the end of his therapy cycle, in late August or early September.

The trial chamber postponed the trial until further notice. Once the final findings have been presented, it will render a final decision on a possible separation of cases, as proposed by the prosecution and defense teams.

“Until then the proceeding is postponed for an undetermined period of time. There is a possibility for scheduling a hearing in the meantime, as the defendant’s health condition will be monitored,” said chamber chairman Zoran Bozic.

The last hearing in this case was held on February 9, 2015.

Dragoslav Bojic, Savo Tepic, Dusko Maksimovic, Dusko Vujicic, Radojko Keverovic and Ilija Kurusic have been charged with participating in detention, torture and other inhumane acts against Bosniaks and Croats in Kotor-Varos.

According to the charges, Tepic was the chief of the public safety station, Bojic was the commander of the police station in Kotor-Varos, Vujicic was a police officer, Maksimovic and Keverovic were reserve policemen, while Kurusic was a member of the Bosnian Serb Army.