Appeals Presented to Indira Kameric Verdict

Kameric, a former member of the 101th Brigade of the Bosnian Croat Army, was found guilty of participating in the abuse of civilians Hazba Nukic, Jovo Dujic and a protected witness known as IK-3 in Bosanski Brod in 1992.
 
She was acquitted of physically and mentally abusing detainee Marko Mitric in a police station in Bosanski Brod in June 1992. She was also acquitted of participating in the sexual abuse of detainees at the Polet stadium.

Kameric’s defense asked for the entire verdict to be repealed and a retrial ordered. The state prosecution asked for the acquitted counts to be reconsidered and called for a higher prison sentence.

“The punishment does not fit the crime, since the court didn’t look at the aggravating circumstances. Especially the gravity of crimes,” prosecutor Milorad Barasin said.
 
Defense attorney Lejla Covic said the verdict was contradictory, in that it stated that she was a member of the Bosnian Croat Army but also “ordered soldiers to abuse civilians,” when she wouldn’t have had the authority to do so.
 
“The court never explained how she could have the power to order them [to abuse civilians]. She couldn’t give orders to anyone. We believe the prosecution did not even prove she was a member of any [military] force. She was a civilian,” Covic said.

The defense said the court came to conclusions about the consequences of her crimes, which Covic argued was a violation of her rights.
 
“The court concluded that Kameric’s actions resulted in great suffering. The court said this was torture, but the only concrete actions were alleged two slaps,” Covic said.
 
The appeals chamber will come to a decision at a later date.