Verdict in Brestovac Trial Expected on November 27

In its closing statement, the prosecution called upon the court to find the defendant guilty of the murder of three civilians. The defense called for a verdict of release.

Brestovac, a former member of the public safety station in Doboj, has been charged with participating in the murder of civilians Muharem, Muhamed and Ismeta Aldobasic in June 1992. He was allegedly accompanied by Cvjetko Sarcevic, who has since deceased.

Presenting her closing statement, district prosecutor Snjezana Petrovic said statements given by deceased witness Petra Aldobasic confirmed that the defendant was guilty.

“The witness saw him when Muharem lit a match. She didn’t dare tell the police who had done it, because that person was on the street. While waiting for a bus, she recognized Cvjetko Sarcevic, who hadn’t shot her, but just hit her,” Petrovic said.

Petrovic said the defense hadn’t brought Aldobasic’s testimony into question.

“The witnesses confirmed the defendant was at a checkpoint in Miljkovac and behaved rudely and arrogantly towards Bosniaks. He insulted Petra Aldobasic, because she was married to a Muslim,” Petrovic said.

In his closing statement, defense attorney Dragan Radovic said the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations contained in the indictment.

“The witnesses didn’t personally see the event. They don’t have direct information,” Dragan Radovic said.

He said the defense didn’t deny the fact that Brestovac was a member of the police forces. However, he said the prosecution had failed to demonstrate the relationship between the armed conflict and the consequences of the crime.

“The defendant’s identification was not conducted in accordance with legal provisions. There is no evidence that the defendant and Cvjetko Sarcevic knew each other,” Radovic said.

The trial began on September 8, 2015.