Bosnia Rejects Serb Ex-Soldier’s Appeal in War Rape Case

Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by Milorad Mrdja, in which he alleged that his right to a fair trial had been violated and the state court’s verdict sentencing him to seven years in prison for wartime crimes against civilians in the Sanski Most area was based on unlawful evidence in its decisive part.

“The Constitutional Court finds that there is no violation of the right to a fair trial,” it said in a statement.

In December 2018, the state court’s appeals chamber sentenced Mrdja, a former member of the Sixth Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, to seven years in prison for crimes against the civilian population in the Sanski Most area in the period from 1992 to 1994.

Two other Bosnian Serb ex-soldiers, Goran Mrdja and Mile Kokot, were also convicted.

The three men were found guilty of the rape and inhumane treatment of Bosniak civilians and of pillaging their property.

Goran and Milorad Mrdja were also pronounced guilty of raping a minor, together with two other people.

A fourth ex-soldier, Ranko Mrdja, was acquitted.

The Constitutional Court’s decision is final and binding.