Defence Updates its Evidence Plan

The Defence of Zeljko Jukic, who is charged with crimes in Prozor, says at a status conference that it has updated its evidence presentation plan, so the presentation of the Defence’s evidence will be discussed again next week.

Defence attorney Irena Pehar said that, in her motion she mentioned that she wanted to examine 39 witnesses and a military expert witness and present 84 pieces of material evidence.

However, she said that she had since made certain changes, adding that she would speak about them at the next status conference.
 
“I submitted the changes to the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina just now, but I would like to speak about the circumstances about which the witnesses will testify at a later stage,” Pehar said.
 
The indictment alleges that Jukic participated, along with other members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, and Croatian Army, HV, in the persecution of Bosniak civilians, murders and forcible disappearances in Prozor from July to September 1993.

The Trial Chamber informed the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Defence that it had accepted all 119 pieces of evidence presented by the Prosecution during the evidence presentation process, explaining that, even though some pieces of evidence did not refer to the incriminated period, they still had a factual and legal basis.

By rendering this decision, the Court overruled the Defence’s objection that some pieces of evidence were irrelevant for the crime charges upon Jukic.

The trial is due to continue on June 6.