Custody Ordered for Pavle Gajic

The BiH Prosecution has asked for custody for Gajic, because of fears he could influence witnesses and accomplices if released to liberty, and the fact that Gajic poses a threat to public order.

 
“The suspect has already applied continued and persistent influence on witnesses which the BiH prosecution has talked to. We believe that if Gajic is released, the pressure on witnesses will intensify, and in that way jeopardise the criminal procedure,” said State prosecutor Dragan Corlija.

 
The Defence objected to the custody motion, and said that the Prosecution’s argument “was incomplete and full of hypothesis.” The Court will render a decision concerning the custody motion at a later stage.

 
Gajic, former member of the “Orlovi Grmeca” unit (Eagles of Grmec) within the Second Krajina Corps of the Republika Srpska Army (VRS), is suspected by the BiH Prosecution of taking part in the killing of a Bosniak prisoner of war near Bihac.

Nenad Balaban, Defence attorney for the suspect, said that Gajic is not guilty of the crimes he is suspected of, and added that custody against him would be an “inadequate measure”.

 
“This man is disabled and barely walks. He has two young children. Custody would be a draconic measure, which would bring his family to the tip of an abyss. We believe the Court should issue prohibiting measures instead of custody”, said Balaban.   

 
Gajic told the Court that he has never faced criminal prosecution before and that he “regrets being forced into prison”.

 
Gajic was arrested by members of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) in Ribnik (near Kljuc municipality) on Wednesday December 28.

D.Dz.