Dulic Verdict Expected in September

Dulic, a former member of the 510th Brigade of the Fifth Corps of the Bosnian Army, has been charged with raping a woman in the village of Beganovici in the Cazin area in December 1993. Two other men also allegedly participated in the injured party’s rape.

State prosecutor Vedrana Mijovic said Dulic was beyond a doubt the perpetrator, as the injured party, known as S-1, had a chance to look at him closely. Mijovic said S-1 was able to recognize Dulic in a photo album during the main trial.

“ S-1’s testimony was consistent and meaningful. She lucidly testified about the rape and the injuries she received on her face. She told the truth,” Mijovic said. She said witnesses Ferida Beganovic, Hase Beganovic, Mehmed Bajric and a protected witness known as S-2 confirmed key parts of S-1’s testimony.

Mijovic proposed that the court hand down a prison sentence and refer S-1 to a civil suit for additional damages.

Ilijas Midzic, Dulic’s defense attorney, presented his closing statement in writing. In his brief address, he said the injured party was a sympathizer of the Western Bosnia Autonomous Region.

Midzic said the injured party had not identified the defendant in a lawful manner. Midzic said that during the first hearing, she had said, “Well, it might be him,” whereas during the second hearing she pointed her finger at him. Midzic said S-1 should have done so at the first hearing.

Midzic also cast doubt on S-1’s testimony. Midzic said S-1 claimed Mustafa Beganovic told her she shouldn’t be afraid of Dulic, because he had left and had become a father. However, Midzic said Beganovic denied this version of events, and said Dulic got married and had a child after the war.

Midzic said Zuhdija Malkoc, Sabir Mujagic, Amir Avdic and other witnesses confirmed that Dulic wasn’t in the Beganovici in December 1993.

“This man is not guilty. I ask the court to acquit him of these charges,” Midzic said.

Dulic then addressed the trial chamber. He said he wasn’t in Beganovici during the time period covered in the indictment, and said he would have never committed such a crime because he was raised with five sisters.

“The prosecution has caused damage to me and my children, more than anyone else,” Dulic said, crying in the courtroom.