Osman Brkan Acquitted of Charges under Second Instance Verdict
As confirmed by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to BIRN Justice Report, a second instance verdict has been pronounced against Osman Brkan, acquitting him of charges for crimes in Blace village, near Konjic.
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The Appellate Chamber of the Court of BiH confirmed a first instance verdict pronounced in December 2013, under which Brkan was acquitted of the charges for having participated in the murder of four old Serb women in Blace village on June 13, 1992. Their bodies have still not been found.
Brkan was on trial along with Ibro Macic. The proceeding against Macic continued on the basis of charges for crimes committed in “Musala” detention camp in Konjic.
The first instance Chamber determined that it could not trust witness Seho Macic, the only witness, who incriminated Brkan for having participated in the murder.
During the appellate procedure the Prosecution of BiH requested the Court to order a retrial, while the Defence requested it to confirm a verdict of release.
