Neuropsychiatrist Says Salcin Has Serious Mental Health Problems

Salcin, a former member of the Bosnian Army’s Zulfikar Squad, has been charged with cutting off a part of prisoaner Dragan Vukovic’s ear in front of the Mraziste Hotel on Mount Igman in March 1993. He’s also been charged with beating prisoners in the kitchen of the Mraziste Hotel during the first half of 1993.

Testifying at today’s hearing, neuropsychiatrist Abdulah Kucukalic said that on the basis of Salcin’s medical documentation he has serious mental problems.

“It’s evident on the basis of his documentation, that he suffers from a serious disease. There are constant and hidden suicidal intentions and hallucinations. He isn’t capable of comprehending his current situation in a precise, critical and realistic manner,” Kucukalic said, testifying on behalf of the defense.

Kucukalic said Salcin was incapable of understanding the questions posed to him while he was giving a statement to the Bosnian state prosecution.

“There’s no doubt that the patient suffered from a chronic disease in that period,” Kucukalic said.

At the last hearing, the state prosecution presented a statement Salcin had given during the investigation as material evidence. In that statement, Salcin admitted to having committed one of the crimes in the indictment. The defense objected to this evidence.

Following Kucukalic’s examination, the defense presented material evidence and completed the presentation of evidence. The state prosecution then presented its closing statement.

Prosecutor Vladimir Simovic said the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Salcin had committed these crimes. He called for a guilty verdict.

“The victim is unfortunately not alive. He would have been able to describe the crime in detail. However, in his three statements Dragan Vukovic described, in detail, how a man named Salcin, also known as Struja, cut a part of his ear,” Simovic said.

Simovic said the expert examination of the defendant did not contain enough elements to conclude that Salcin was unaware of what he was saying.

“We believe the defense has not managed to diminish and devalue the prosecution’s evidence,” Simovic said.

The defense is due to present its closing statement on November 12.