State Prosecution Expert Findings Refuted at Avdovic and Vintila Trial
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Ramiz Avdovic and Iulian-Nicolae Vintila have been charged with war crimes committed against Serb civilians at the Viktor Bubanj military barracks and on the fifth floor of the district prison in Sarajevo. The prosecution alleges that the civilian prisoners held in those facilities were subjected to torture and abuse, and were also ordered to perform forced labour.
The indictment alleges that Avdovic was the guard commander on the fifth floor of the district prison in Sarajevo and at the former Viktor Bubanj military barracks, while Vintila was a cook and guard in the barracks.
At today’s hearing, prosecutor Dzevad Muratbegovic presented the findings and opinion of medical expert Zorica Lazarevic. He also presented supporting medical documentation in relation to five injured parties. Lazarevic had presented these findings at previous hearings.
The defense of Ramiz Avdovic objected to the legality and relevance of the evidence, arguing that various diagnoses unrelated to the case at hand were presented.
Iulian-Nicolae Vintila’s defense suggested that Lazarevic’s findings be completely rejected. He said her findings didn’t respond to the findings presented by the expert for the defense, but rather presented “a parallel opinion.”
“There are standards. None of them were used by the expert,” defense attorney Vlado Adamovic said. He said the opinion of defense expert Abdullah Kucukalic remained intact.
The prosecution announced that it would amend the indictment in relation to the establishment of facts.
The trial will continue on October 27.
