Custody Extension Sought for Syria Terrorism Suspect
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The state prosecution on March 16 requested that Emir Alisic’s custody remand be extended at least two more months, when the investigation is expected to be complete.
Prosecutor Biljana Golijanin said that evidence has been gathered and witnesses examined about the circumstances of the suspect’s departure to and stay in Syria.
She added that the prosecution has sought expert evaluations of certain websites and sought international legal assistance from the US embassy.
Golijanin pointed out that the suspect went to Syria on his own initiative and did not come back voluntarily, but was captured by Kurdish forces.
She also said there were frequent requests for communication with Alisic from outside the country after his return, and that he has also sought to communicate with other terrorism suspects.
The defence objected to the motion, saying that the suspect’s presence could be ensured by less stringent measures.
Defence lawyer Emir Kaknjasevic said it did not stand to reason that the prosecution listed the fact that the suspect wanted to talk to his family and friends as an argument for extended custody.
“After having spent ten months in Kurdish detention, it is normal that he wants to communicate,” Kaknjasevic said.
He added that Alisic could not return from Syria because he did not have identification papers.
He also said that Alisic could not flee Bosnia and Herzegovina given that he neither had travel documents nor an ID, and the borders were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kaknjasevic insisted that his client “did not create any problems or commit crimes. He is ready to face the accusations.”
The defence lawyer said that a neuro-psychiatric expert had found that Alisic was not radicalised.
He argued that house arrest would be an appropriate measure and that Alisic could wait there for his wife and five children to come back home from Syria.
Alisic is one of seven men who were extradited from Syria in December 2019. So far the state prosecution has indicted three of them.
