Kovacevic: Defence case postponed

The start of the defence case of the former Bosnian Serb soldier Nikola Kovacevic, who is charged with war crimes in Sanski Most during the war, has been postponed until early September.

Defence counsel Ranko Dakic explained that defence witnesses who were scheduled to begin testifying on July 25 were “unable to come”, and asked that their appearance be delayed until September 6.

Dakic announced that he planned on questioning five witnesses during the defence case, including Kovacevic himself.

“The defence will need three days to present its evidence,” Dakic said.

In the meantime, the defence will have to disclose evidence and written witness statements to the Prosecution by August 20.

Kovacevic, who went by the name Danilusko Kajtez until 1996, denies taking part in attacks by the Bosnian Serb Army on Bosniaks and Croats in the Sanski Most area.

The court of Bosnia and Herzegovina took on the Kovacevic case in September 2005, and confirmed the indictment against him in January this year.