Status Conference Held Before Trial of Four Former Capljina Police Officials
This post is also available in: Bosnian
Nikola Zovko, Petar Krndelj, Kreso Rajic and Ivica Cutura have been charged with crimes against civilians in Capljina. According to the charges, Zovko was the commander of the police station in Capljina, Krndelj was the assistant commander, Rajic was the commander of the military police squad, and Ivica Cutura was an active police officer.
Between July 19-28, 1993, they allegedly participated in the murder, torture, abuse and inhumane treatment of Bosniak civilians.
“In this case, the prosecution will examine 32 witnesses and one expert witness, and will present 165 pieces of material evidence. None of these witnesses have protection measures, nor have they asked for them,” prosecutor Vedrana Mijovic said at today’s status conference. She said the witness didn’t have protective measures issued to them by the Hague Tribunal or other proceedings before the courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Irena Pehar, Zovko’s defense attorney, said that she would provide her evidence presentation plan after the prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence.
Pehar requested that witnesses of interest to the defense be cross-examined separately.
Minka Kreho, the trial chamber chair, said that because of the costs of the proceedings some witnesses could not be invited to testify twice.
Suzana Tomanovic, Krndelj’s defense attorney, said she would need five hours to cross-examine an expert witness.
“Kreso Rajic’s defense will use evidence presented by the prosecution, but we will propose our evidence after the prosecution’s evidence has been presented,” said Vahid Camdzic, Rajic’s defense attorney.
Cutura’s defense attorney, Branko Karadeglic, said he would invite ten witnesses to testify. He said two or three witnesses could be examined per hearing.
The start date of the trial will be scheduled later. Kreho said the trial would be begin in November.
