Custody for Rasema Handanovic requested

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested that Handanovic be remanded in custody because it believes there is a possibility of the suspect influencing witnesses, contacting accomplices and leaving the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Defence of the suspect Handanovic proposed to the Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that instead of custody the suspect be issued with restrictive measures of being forbidden to meet and contact certain witnesses as well as the confiscation of her passport.

“If I had been informed or summoned to this Court I would have come voluntarily. I did not know that the Court needed me,” said Handanovic, adding that she has no intention of fleeing.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will make a decision on the proposal for custody at a later date.

The State Prosecution suspects Handanovic, former member of the Zulfikar Special Purposes Detachment with the headquarters of the High Command of Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of taking part in the attack on the village of Trusina, on April 16, 1993.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that in the attack 18 civilians and four members of the Croatian Defence Council who previously surrendered were killed, and that several other persons were wounded, among them two children.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that Rasema Handanovic personally took part in the execution of three soldiers who surrendered and three civilians.

At the hearing for the decision on custody, Vesna Budimir, prosecutor for the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasised that she was against the restrictive measure, and that custody “was the only measure which will ensure the efficient conduct of the process.”

“I thank the Court and Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina for their concern. Since leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina, I had no contact whatsoever with members of the Zulfikar detachment,” said Handanovic.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Defence emphasised it was necessary for the State Court to provide medical examination for the suspect Handanovic due to her health condition.

“Yesterday we interrupted the questioning twice and the ambulance had to come, because the suspect did not have the medicine for her heart and psychological problems. I ask the Court to provide a medical examination of the suspect,” said Budimir.

Handanovic was extradited on December 27 by the US to the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina.S.U.