Gasal et al: New Trial for Bugojno Crimes

In November last year the first instance Chamber sentenced Dautovic to 13 and Gasal to six years in prison for crimes committed in Bugojno and acquitted Kukavica of all charges.

As announced by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Appellate Chamber fully accepted an appeal filed by indictee Dautovic and partially accepted a Prosecution appeal.

In its appeal the Prosecution requested the Court to also pronounce Gasal and Dautovic guilty of the charges of which they were acquitted under the first instance verdict and sentence them to longer imprisonment.

The Defence of Gasal and Dautovic requested the Appellate Chamber to either acquit the indictees or order a retrial.

The Appellate Chamber terminated custody for Gasal and Senad and ordered prohibiting measures against them and Kukavica.

Under the first instance verdict, Dautovic, former member of the wartime Presidency of Bugojno, was pronounced guilty of having participated in a joint criminal enterprise with the aim of detaining Croats, who had surrendered, and executing those marked as extremists.

He was sentenced, in his capacity as Chief of the Public Safety Station in Bugojno, for having treated detainees, who were held in the gymnasium and police buildings, in an inhumane manner.

Gasal, former Manager of a detention camp at the Iskra football stadium, where about 300 Croats were held, was found guilty of bearing responsibility for inhumane treatment committed by his subordinates.

The first instance Chamber acquitted Kukavica of the charges, because it determined that the former Commander of Guards at the stadium conveyed his observations to the Manager.