Trial for Grbavica Crimes Begins

According to the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecution’s charges, Bogdanovic and Sladoje, former “members of Serbian military and police forces”, arrested, detained and caused bodily injuries to civilians from the Grbavica area from mid-June to the end of 1992.

“On June 13, 1992 they came to Besic’s house. They were armed. They took Bajro and Suad Besic to a garage, where they hit them. Later on they took them to the Jewish cemetery,” Prosecutor Sead Krestalica said.

He said that the Besic family members were used as human shields at the Jewish cemetery and that Suad was killed on that occasion.

Bogdanovic and Sladoje are charged with having come to Simic family house in 1992 and physically abused Rajko Simic, whose wife was not a Serb.

Presenting his introductory statement, Prosecutor Krestalica said that, through the examination of his witnesses, he would prove that the indictees participated in the arrests and torture of the civilian population, as well as the confiscation of their property.

“The victims were civilians. They did not participate in any conflicts. We shall see that they did not do anything to make the indictees treat them in that manner,” the Prosecutor said.

The Defence of indictee Sladoje said that it would prove that the indictee “had nothing to do with the events described in the indictment”.

“The allegations contained in the indictment are prejudiced. I consider that the Prosecution will not prove the indictment, because it was fabricated,” said Midhat Koco, Defence attorney of indictee Sladoje.

The Defence of Bogdanovic did not present its introductory statement, saying that it would do it once the Prosecution had presented its evidence.

The first Cantonal Prosecution witness is due to be examined on October 18.