Trial Chamber Orders New Health Evaluation for Hodzic

The Bosnian state court decided to order a new expert analysis of defendant Nedzad Hodzic’s health.

Hodzic, a former member of the Zulfikar Unit of the Bosnian Army, has been charged with the torture, assault and sexual abuse of Serb prisoners on Mount Igman in the municipality of Hadzici in 1993. He has also been charged with war crimes in Trusina, near Konjic, in another case.

At today’s hearing, Hodzic’s defense attorney, Nedza Sehic, filed a set of three findings on her client’s health. Sehic proposed that all of the findings presented from the beginning of the proceedings be taken into account.

“It was confirmed the first time that he’s in poor condition, the same thing was confirmed a second time but it was ignored…the doctors said it was necessary to put the patient [Hodzic] into an institution, but he was kept in custody,” Sehic said.

Hodzic’s health has been examined several times throughout the trial, with experts offering differing opinions.

“The chamber will decide which institution will carry out Hodzic’s expert analysis,” trial chamber chair Jasmina Kosovic said.

The verdict in the Konjic case involving Hodzic will be handed down on July 13. The next hearing of the Mount Igman case will be determined at a later stage.

Hodzic was originally on trial with Dzevad Salcin. His case was separated from Salcin’s pending a decision on whether he’s fit to stand trial.