Veselinovic: Trial closed to public

The trial of Rade Veselinovic before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina took place in camera while the two witnesses were examined today.

“After having considered the Prosecution’s written request and the Defence’s response, the Chamber has decided to exclude the public during the course of the examination of these two witnesses,” Trial Chamber Chairwoman Mira Smajlovic said.

The State Prosecution charges Rade Veselinovic with crimes against humanity committed against non-Serbs in Hadzici Municipality. The indictment alleges that Veselinovic, as a member of the Military Police Squad with the Republika Srpska Army, participated in “murder, forcible resettlement, capture, as well as causing of suffering and bodily injuries to people.”

The witnesses who were examined at the closed hearing today asked the Court to grant them protection just before the previous hearing, held on October 8 this year, explaining that there had been “unpleasant situations to which they were exposed after having testified at another trial.”

According to the official timetable of the State Court the trial is due to continue on October 21.