Four Witnesses Too Ill To Testify at Ibracevic, Smajlovic and Covic Trial
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Ibracevic, the former chief of military security with the municipal headquarters of the Territorial Defense in Srebrenik, and former military police officers Smajlovic and Covic, have been charged with abusing and torturing Serb civilians in Rapatnica in 1992.
At today’s hearing, neuropsychiatrist Zarko Savic said four state prosecution witnesses suffered from severe diseases that prevent them from travelling. Based on his review of their medical records, he said them testifying could lead to a deterioration of their health.
Savic suggested that witnesses Gavro Djukic and Mico Jovanovic be examined in their homes. He said this wasn’t possible in the case of witnesses Lazar Stanisic and Stokan Markovic.
He said the witnesses suffered from various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. He said many of them had suffered head injuries and had undergone surgery or chemotherapy.
Faruk Smajlovic’s defense attorney objected to the Savic’s findings, describing them as incomplete.
“No expert can determine whether someone is currently capable of testifying without examining them,” defense attorney Emir Suljagic said.
The defense teams of Ekrem Ibracevic and Sejdalija Covic left it up to the trial chamber to assess Savic’s findings.
Prosecutor Zorica Djurdjevic proposed that statements from the witnesses be read in court.
The chamber will render a decision at a later stage. In addition to these four statements, the prosecution will also read statements given by two deceased witnesses.
The trial will continue on October 20.
