Nikacevic: Conspiracy of silence

Court expert, Senadin Ljubojevic, a psychiatrist, determined that the two witnesses, who appeared at the trial of Miodrag Nikacevic, claiming to have been raped, still suffer from long-term psychological consequences.

The court expert said that “the conspiracy of silence” is one of the basic elements in all rape cases, adding that, only after a long period of time has elapsed can a victim find enough strength to face the perpetrator.

“All rape victims spoke about the crime with a huge delay. This is not an exception, but rather a rule,” Ljubojevic said.

Among other things, Miodrag Nikacevic is charged with having raped two women from Foca, while being uniformed and armed, in April and July 1992.

The State Prosecution invited Senadin Ljubojevic to give his opinion about the two witnesses’ health.

“They both fulfill all criteria related to long-term psychological consequences. Practically, they are still the victims of what they suffered. This trauma continues to determine their lives,” Ljubojevic said, adding that “their life functionality has been damaged, while their sexuality has been destroyed.”

Speaking about the first witness, the court expert said that she still lived “en empty life, forcing herself to do things and acting by inertia.” According to the expert, “this is a common consequence of a psychological trauma.”

When asked by the Defence, during cross-examination, how it was possible for the victims to still be able to remember the details relating to the rape, the court expert said that rape had “the strongest potential to generate stress.”

“The loss of a child and rape leave the most deteriorating consequences on someone’s personality. Those memories do not fade with the passage of time. The scenes keep coming back to you, whether you want it or not.”

The Prosecution has completed its evidence presentation by examining this court expert and presenting eight more pieces of material evidence.

In the course of presenting evidence, the Defence wants to examine the indictee and 28 other witnesses.

“The list of Defence witnesses included more names, but, due to cost-efficiency, we decided to reduce the number and examine the ones, whose testimonies we consider to be necessary. They will confirm that the indictee is a humane person, who helped the unfortunate residents when they were in need, and he did that irrespective of their ethnic affiliation,” Emira Babic, additional Defence attorney, said.

The Trial Chamber asked the Defence to provide it with a precise plan of its evidence presentation, including the circumstances, which will be the subject of the witnesses’ statements, by the next hearing, scheduled for August 19. The indictee will testify as the first Defence witness.