Trial for Crimes against Serb Civilians Begins
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Prosecutor Sead Krestalica said that the Prosecution would prove that, through his actions, Frimel committed crimes against the civilian population.
“We shall prove that he was a member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, and that crimes against the civilian population were committed during the war. By examining the injured parties, the Prosecution will fully confirm the allegations contained in the indictment,” Krestalica said.
The Cantonal Prosecution in Sarajevo charges Mario Frimel, former Commander of “Ivan Krndelj” Squad of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, with having unlawfully arrested and physically and mentally abused Serbs in Hrasno neighbourhood, Sarajevo.
According to the charges, at the beginning of October 1992 members of the “Ivan Krndelj” Squad brought Serbs to the shopping centre premises, where they abused them.
“They hit them all over their bodies, using rifle butts, legs and hands. One person fell down due to the beating. After that Mario Frimel and two unidentified members of that Squad continued hitting the person with boots all over his body, also hitting the other arrested persons,” the indictment alleges.
Defence attorney Midhat Koco said that the Defence would propose a number of pieces of evidence, which would deny Prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Frimel is defending himself while at liberty.
The first Prosecution witness is due to be examined on February 19.
