Trial

Bosnian Terrorism Suspect ‘Possessed Weapons in Syria’

22. December 2020.16:08
At the trial of Emir Alisic, who is accused of terrorism for going to join paramilitary groups in Syria, a witness who was also in Syria claimed that she knew the defendant there and that he possessed weapons.

This post is also available in: Bosnian


Emir Alisic. Photo: Court of BiH

In the statement which was read by prosecutor Biljana Golijanin the witness said she “met Emir Alisic in Raqqa [in Syria]” and that she met him later in other Syrian towns too.

The female returnee said that Alisic possessed weapons but “did not go on sentry duty”. She also said that he was among the first fighters who surrendered.

The court has prohibited the publication of the names of witnesses in the trial who returned from Syria.

Prosecutor Biljana Golijanin said that Alisic was not mentioned in the witness’s first statement because it was a general statement about her time in Syria, but in her second statement, after she was shown a photograph album of Bosnian citizens who went to Syria or are still there, she did mention the defendant.

Golijanin added that the witness knew the defendant, and that the photo album was “just a confirmation”.

She said she had completed the presentation of evidence listed in the indictment, but she asked for additional evidence to be admitted. The court will decide on this request at a later stage.

The defense proposed that Alisic be examined as a witness and that an expert examination of his disability be conducted, as it would show that the defendant could not have carried out any military activities.

The court initially accepted the defence’s proposal for an examination, but after an objection by the prosecution, decided to reject it.

“The court does not find that an examination would be relevant,” presiding judge Biljana Cukovic said.

Alisic will take the stand as a witness at one of the upcoming hearings.

The trial is due to continue on December 29.

This post is also available in: Bosnian