Former Minister Tomislav Kovac’s Testimony Postponed at Srebrenica Trial

The Bosnian state prosecution has charged Dragomir Vasic, Miodrag Josipovic, Branimir Tesic, Danilo Zoljic and Radomir Pantic with genocide committed in Srebrenica in July 1995. They are charged with participating or assisting in the forcible resettlement of the local population from Srebrenica, separating men from their families, as well as capturing and executing men and boys in Bratunac, Srebrenica and Zvornik.

According to the charges, at the time Vasic was the commander of the Zvornik police headquarters, Josipovic was the chief of the public safety station and Tesic was the deputy commander of the police station in Bratunac. Zoljic was the commander of special forces at the public safety center in Zvornik and Pantic was the commander of the First Company of the Special Units of Zvornik’s public safety center.

At today’s hearing, prosecutor Ibro Bulic said Kovac was suspected of the same crimes as the defendants. Kovac, who was testifying via video link from Belgrade, said he wasn’t aware of the allegations against him.

Dragan Gotovac, Miodrag Josipovic’s defense attorney, called upon the trial chamber to ask Kovac whether the knew he was listed as a participant in the same joint criminal enterprise as the five defendants.

“I’m not familiar with the case against Josipovic, but nothing can surprise me when Bulic is involved. This is the first time I’ve heard I’m a witness and a member of an associated criminal group,” Kovac said. He said he was no longer prepared to testify as a result, and needed time to prepare his testimony.

Trial chamber chair Minka Kreho said Kovac would be able to testify in the presence of a legal advisor. She said he would be invited to testify once those conditions had been met.

Kovac said he had responded to invitations to testify thus far, and didn’t expect any problems in this regard.

The state prosecution then presented a transcript of testimony given by Miroslav Deronjic at the Hague Tribunal on Srebrenica war crimes. Deronjic, since deceased, was sentenced to ten years in prison for crimes against humanity committed in the village of Glogova in the municipality of Bratunac in 1992.

The trial will continue on October 1.