Zelenika Fails to Appear in Court

Trial chamber chair Slavko Pavlovic said Zelenika had been properly informed about the scheduling of the hearing.

“I shall issue an order for his forcible apprehension to the next hearing,” Pavlovic said.

Defense attorney Branko Karadeglic said Zelenika had not informed him he would not attend the hearing.

“I spoke to him about this case yesterday afternoon, but he did not indicate he wouldn’t come,” Karadeglic said.

Ivan Zelenika, a former member of the Croatian Defense Council, has been charged with the severe physical abuse of Muhamed Lalic, also known as Hamo, in his apartment in Mostar on the night of May 6 or 7, 1994. Lalic died during the course of the trial. He has also been accused of beating detainees from the Heliodrom detention camp who were performing forced labour on Santiceva Street in Mostar.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 17.