State Prosecution Requests Custody for Stanarevic

The Prosecution of BiH said that it had evidence that Stanarevic, who was arrested on June 17, participated in murders of Bosniak civilians at Hrgar locality, Bihac municipality, in June 1992.

Prosecutor Emir Neradin said that more than 70 civilians were brought, in groups, to Hrgar locality. He said that the suspect, former member of military police with the 15th Bihac Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, participated in the murder of at least four civilians.

The State Prosecution alleges that suspect Stanarevic did not know that an investigation was conducted against him, adding that he could therefore have a motive to hide. Neradin said that the Prosecution of BiH would continue conducting the investigation by examining additional witnesses, one of whom lived in the vicinity of the suspect.

“We consider that he might influence witnesses with the aim of improving his own position,” Neradin said.

He mentioned that this was a complex case, which had still not been fully explained, so an investigation against other persons would be conducted in the upcoming period.

The Defence said that the evidence, which had been submitted, did not imply the existence of a grounded suspicion that Stanarevic participated in the murders. Defence attorney Slavica Bajic said that none of the witnesses, whose statements she had received, identified Stanarevic as a murder perpetrator.

In the Defence’s opinion, the State Prosecution’s arguments related to his flight, did not represent “an objective reason” for ordering the suspect into custody.

Bajic said that “the risk that the suspect might approach the witnesses” was not a reason for ordering him into custody, adding that it could be solved through prohibiting measures.

“I propose that the Court orders a ban on leaving his place of residence and contacting certain persons and an obligation to report to the Police Station,” Bajic said.

The Court of BiH will render a decision at a later stage.