Request for Withdrawal of Judges in Trusina Case

Vasvija Vidovic said that judges Vesna Jesenkovic and Stanisa Gluhajic had already taken a stand following the verdict against Dzeko, who was sentenced, under the first instance verdict, to 12 years in prison for crimes in Trusina on April 16, 1993.

Jesenkovic and Gluhajic were members of the Trial Chamber at a separate trial of Dzeko, who is defended by Vidovic and Edina Residovic.

Vidovic explained that the verdict against Dzeko, former member of the “Zulfikar” Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, was based on several key witnesses, who testified at this trial for crimes in Trusina.  

Bojadzic is charged, along with Mensur Memic, Dzevad Salcin, Senad Hakalovic and Nedzad Hodzic, while the proceeding against Zulfikar Alispago, also known as Zuka, was separated in March this year due to his illness.  

In case the judges fail to withdraw, Bojadzic’s Defence attorneys will request their exemption.
Prior to this discussion Fata Kozic testified in defence of Bojadzic. Kozic was a cook with the Brigade seated in Parsovici village, near Trusina, in 1993. She recalled the arrival of “Zuka’s soldiers” in mid-April 1993.

The witness said that a female soldier, who introduced herself as Zolja, requested a special dinner for her and her superior officer.
 
“He introduced himself to me. He said his name was Samko. We made roasted chicken and potatoes. I remember the dinner well,” Kozic said, adding that Zolja told her that soldiers were going to Trusina.

Two years ago the Court of BiH sentenced Rasema Handanovic, also known as Zolja, former member of “Zulfikar” Unit, to five-and-a-half years in prison after she had admitted guilt for participating in the shooting of six Croats.

Bojadzic, former Deputy Commander of “Zulfikar” Unit, is charged with having ordered his soldiers to attack Trusina and allegedly ordered that nobody should stay alive in the village and commanded the attack via a communication device from a nearby hill.

The examination of indictee Bojadzic, who testified in his defence at the six previous hearings, was completed at this hearing. He said that he had not made significant changes to his testimony in comparison to a statement he gave after his arrest in 2009 by adjusting everything to the evidence presented.  
 
The trial is due to continue on June 16.