Prosecutor disputes illegal search claim in Avdovic trial

A Bosnian prosecutor introduced evidence in an effort to prove that the search of war crimes defendant Ramiz Avdovic’s apartment, in 2011, was legal.

Prosecutor Dzevad Muratbegovic provided requests and orders to search the apartment of Avdovic, a former prison guard commander who is accused of abusing Serb civilians at the Viktor Buban military barracks and the District Prison in Sarajevo. Muratbegovic said the evidence refuted Avdovic’s claims that he was not informed that he could be present for the search. The prosecutor also introduced as evidence a confirmation of the belongings seized.

“This proves the legality of the entire operation,” Murtabegovic said.

Avdovic, the commander of the guards on the fifth floor of the District Prison, and Vintila Nicolae Illiuan, a former guard and cook, are accused of torturing Serb civilians and forcing them to perform labour.

The trial, which began in March 2012, continues on September 8.