Bosniak Soldier Convicted of Wartime Rape

The Bosnian state court on Monday convicted Lalicic, a former member of the Bosnian Army’s First Corps and a guard at the prison camp in an abandoned building in Hrasnica, of the multiple rape of a female prisoner and the abuse of another civilian detainee in 1992 and 1993.

“The defendant committed the act with direct intent, knowing the victims were civilians, who would suffer consequences. The victims are to this day suffering the mental and physical consequences,” said judge Jasmina Kosovic.

Kosovic said that the court believed the testimony of the rape victim, codenamed SM, who was “clear and concise” and showed no intention of additionally incriminating Lalicic without evidence.

“She clearly testified that Lalicic first took her out and beat her in the kidneys and then took her about ten times to the improvised bathroom where he bent her over the tub and raped her,” said Kosovic.

Lalicic was also found guilty of beating a prisoner called Radovan Dubljevic on the head and the back while taking detainees to do forced labour. Judge Kosovic said Dubljevic’s testimony was also “credible and convincing”.

The judge said the court accepted as mitigating circumstances the fact the defendant had no previous convictions and that he behaved well during the trial. As aggravating circumstances, she said, the chamber took into account the seriousness of the crimes.

“We looked at the persistence of Lalicic, who raped SM several times, using the situation that she was detained [at the improvised prison] with her child. He could do what he wanted and told her this, reminding her that her son was detained as well – [a threat] through which Lalicic showed particular ruthlessness,” said Kosovic.

This verdict can be appealed.