Chamber in Saric Trial Accepts Statements by Deceased Hague Witnesses

Saric has been charged with commanding police forces which participated in the search, disarmament and forcible resettlement of women, children and the elderly in July 1995, as well as separating men and boys who were executed in the Srebrenica area later on.

“Since these witnesses died, the prosecution has attached a proposal to use their previous testimony in the indictment,” prosecutor Ibro Bulic said. He proposed that the transcripts be included in the case file without being read in the courtroom.

The defense objected to this evidence, claiming that the defense’s right to examine witnesses was impossible in this instance.

“Deronjic’s testimony is among the most important heard before the Hague Tribunal. It refers to the context of events that happened in July 1995. His testimony describes the link between members of the joint criminal enterprise in the events charged upon the defendant,” Bulic said.

Deronjic, the former president of the crisis committee in Bratunac, was sentenced to ten years in prison for war crimes in the village of Glogova. He died in 2007.

Prosecutor Ibro Bulic said Camila Omanovic’s testimony was relevant to the trial, since she was a participant in negotiations that took place in the Srebrenica area in July 1995.

The trial chamber accepted the proposal to include this evidence in the case file.

Commenting on the prohibitive measures imposed on him, Saric said it would suit him if he could report to police only once a week, instead of twice per week.

Prosecutor Bulic said he did not object to this proposal.

The trial will continue on August 24, when a protected state prosecution witness will be examined.