Bosnian Serb Soldier Convicted of Visegrad Wartime Rape
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“Following the assessment of the evidence, the chamber has determined that the prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina has proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the crime as described in the indictment,” judge Mediha Pasic said.
The court ordered Ratkovic to pay the victim 35,000 Bosnian marks (around 17,900 euros) in compensation.
Pasic said that the court believed the victim’s “detailed and convincing”, which was also confirmed by other evidence.
“The chamber found no motive on the side of the victim to wrongfully accuse the defendant,” the judge added.
Pasic criticised the defence for its closing arguments, in which it attacked the victim’s credibility.
“Such an approach to witness testimony analysis is unacceptable,” she said.
She added that Ratkovic’s lawyer, Radmila Radosavljevic, “inappropriately insisted on talking about the sexual life of the victim”.
As aggravating circumstances, the court took into account the fact that Ratkovic raped his victim three times and showed no remorse. It found no mitigating circumstances.
Ratkovic is also on trial in a separate case before the state court for allegedly committing war crimes in Strpci in Bosnia in 1993, when Serb fighters stopped a train, seized 20 passengers and killed them.
Wednesday’s verdict can be appealed.
