Experts Describe Deterioration in Injured Party’s Mental Health at Gojkovic Trial

Gojkovic, a former member of the Bosnian Serb Army, has been charged with the rape of a woman in the Grbavica neighbourhood of Sarajevo on September 29, 1992.

Neuropsychiatrist Omer Cemalovic, who examined the injured party with psychologist Mirjana Music, said she demonstrated symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Cemalovic said the injured party, known as ST-1, demonstrated symptoms that were typical of rape victims, including feelings of guilt, shame, and dirtiness.

Gojkovic’s defense asked the expert how he had determined that the injured party’s mental health had been impacted so negatively. Cemalovic said ST-1 had difficulty forming relationships with the opposite sex and had neglected her reproductive health. He added that the injured party was unable to share the details of her rape with him.

“I didn’t want to cause the deterioration of her mental health,” Cemalovic said.

The trial will continue on October 2.