Custody and Prohibitive Measures Ordered Against Two Former HVO Members

The court ordered one month of custody for Jasarevic, on the grounds of his probable guilt and the possibility that he might flee the country. The court said that custody measures were necessary as Jasarevic might interfere with the trial proceedings by influencing witnesses and accomplices, or attempting to destroy evidence.

The prohibitive measures ordered against Velagic include a ban on leaving his place of residence, a ban on traveling, an obligation to report to the police once a month, and a ban on meeting the other suspect and witnesses. If Velagic violates these measures, he may be ordered into custody.

Jasarevic and Velagic were arrested on February 17. They are charged with the detainment, torture, killing, and persecution of the Serb population in Livno from April 1992-July 1993. The prosecution alleges that the defendants participated in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at deporting the Serb population from the Livno area and its surroundings.

Jasarevic and Velagic are also accused with the abuse, persecution, and detainment of approximately 300 persons at the Ivan Goran Kovacic school in Livno. The prosecution alleges that Serb detainees at the school were held in inhumane conditions, and were subjected to threats, torture, and murder.