Verdict in Josip Maric Trial Scheduled for July 8
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Maric, the former chief of police and deputy chief of the Security and Information Service of the Croatian Defense Council in Kiseljak, has been charged with crimes against civilians and prisoners of war in the municipality of Kiseljak in 1993.
In her closing arguments, prosecutor Sanja Hodzic said it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Maric participated in war crimes committed in Kiseljak.
“We believe that the testimony of the defense witnesses was contradictory and that the witnesses were prepared,” Hodzic said.
In his closing argument, defense attorney Zdenko Tomic called for an acquittal for his client. He said a conviction could not be made based on the testimony of the prosecution witnesses.
“I think the prosecution’s evidence could not establish beyond any reasonable doubt that my client committed the alleged crimes. It hasn’t been proven that he committed the offenses he’s been charged with and I request an acquittal,” Tomic said.
As per the request of the defense, Salko Hadzikaric’s statement was read before the closing arguments.
In his statement, Hadzikaric said the defendant helped transfer his son during the war to receive medical treatment. The statement described how the Hadzikaric family was robbed and expelled from Kiseljak, and how they ended up in a detention camp.
