Bosnian Serb Ex-Fighter’s Wartime Rape Trial Opens
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According to the charges, the defendant, who was wearing military uniform and carrying firearms, committed the crime in the elementary school building in Malesic in the early evening of May 27, 1992.
“He entered a classroom in which detainees were held under armed guard and took Witness A [the victim] out under the pretext of bringing food for her baby. He then raped her behind the school building,” the indictment alleges.
Presenting her introductory statement after the reading of the indictment, prosecutor Zorica Djurdjevic said the prosecution would prove that the former Territorial Defence fighter was guilty of rape.
“Witnesses will confirm that they knew the defendant and that he was responsible for the crime,” the prosecutor said.
After the introductory statements, the first witness gave his testimony, saying he had heard nothing about mistreatment and rape in Malesici.
Kajo Spasojevic, a distant relative of the defendant, said he heard in May 1992 that some unknown soldiers had killed and displaced several people from nearby Jusici.
The witness said that defendant Dusan Spasojevic had previously been assigned as commander in the area, but was no longer in the post at the time at the crime.
“I am 100 per cent sure he was relieved of the duty by mid-May 1992,” the witness explained.
The trial will continue on February 26.
