Local Justice – Curtic: Retrial Begins

In May this year the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina revoked a verdict pronounced by the Sarajevo Cantonal Court, under which Ermin Curtic was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison on October 31, 2011, and ordered a retrial.

Prosecutor Sead Krestalica and Defence attorney Nedim Dobojlic agreed that there was no need to read the indictment, so Trial Chamber Chairman Jasenko Ruzic recorded that the indictment was officially read.

Curtic, who is on trial according to the Criminal Code of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, SFRY, is defending himself while at liberty.

The Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution charges Curtic, who was a guide to a part of the “Maturice” Unit of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, with having hit and robbed civilians.

It is alleged that, following an attack on Stupni Do village on October 23, 1993, he approached Muamera Mahmutovic, who was holding her young sons Fuad and Mahir by their hands, asked her where her husband was and strongly kicked her in her face, while having his military boots on. He then asked her to give him her money and jewelry. It is further alleged that he threatened her by saying that he would kill her and her son Mahir and took away her necklace and golden jewelry.

Besides that, the indictee, who was allegedly accompanied by two other HVO members, is charged with having hit Besim Parangalaj with his legs, hands and rifle butt. They then confiscated his money and golden jewelry.

The trial is due to continue on December 27, when Parangalaj will appear as a witness.
A.S.