Neuropsychiatrist Says Salcin’s Mental Health Decline Affected Statement

Salcin, a former member of the Bosnian Army’s Zulfikar Unit, has been charged with cutting off a part of prisoner Dragan Vukovic’s ear in front of the Mraziste Hotel on Mount Igman in March 1993. He is also charged with beating prisoners in the kitchen of the Mraziste Hotel on Mount Igman during the first half of 1993.

Kucukalic, who testified upon the defense’s request, presented his findings on Salcin’s mental health to the trial chamber. He said he analyzed medical documentation given to him by neuropsychiatrist Omer Cemalovic and the psychiatric department of the Safet Mujic Regional Medical Center in Mostar. He said he noticed a significant decline in the defendant’s clinical condition.

Kucukalic said medical findings from 2011 and 2012 indicated that Cemalovic diagnosed Salcin with depression of moderate severity, which then worsened significantly and grew into severe and psychotic depression. Salcin’s deterioration was confirmed during his stay at the Safet Mujic Regional Medical Center’s psychiatric department.

Kucukalic said he hadn’t examined the defendant, and said it wasn’t possible to determine whether Salcin was mentally sound on the basis of medical documentation alone. However, he said his mental health suffers in stressful situations, which could have influenced the accuracy of a statement given by Salcin to state prosecutors on March 21, 2012.

During cross-examination, Kucukalic said he was sure Salcin had depression in March 2012. He said it would be helpful to have a video recording of his statement to study Salcin’s appearance, speech and behaviour.

The trial will continue on July 16.