Djojic Fails to Appear in Courtroom

The Jozo Djojic trial has been postponed due to the absence of the defendant at today’s hearing.

Trial chamber chair Darko Samardzic said he wasn’t informed about the reasons for the defendant’s absence.

“The defendant is under prohibitive measures. We haven’t received information as to the reasons for his absence. It’s very possible that the summons didn’t reach him,” Samardzic said.

The Bosnian state prosecution has charged Djojic, a former member of the Croatian Defense Council, with rape and sexual abuse in the Odzak area in 1992.

According to the indictment, Djojic and several other Croatian Defense Council members raped and sexually abused a woman in an extremely humiliating manner. Djojic and the other perpetrators allegedly told the injured party that if she resisted her six-month old son would be killed.

Djojic is defending himself at liberty, under prohibitive measures which include a ban on leaving his place of residence, traveling and meeting other suspects and witnesses.

The next hearing has been scheduled for July 3, when a court expert is expected to present his findings.