Jovan Popovic Trial Begins
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Popovic has been charged with abducting civilians in Rodica Brdo in the Visegrad area in mid-June 1992 and taking them to a police station. Popovic alleged acted in collaboration with a group of soldiers led by Milan Lukic (currently serving a life sentence for war crimes in Visegrad after a trial at the Hague Tribunal). The civilians have remained missing since.
According to the indictment, Popovic returned to Rodica Brdo on the same day. When a witness asked where her son was, Popovic said he had killed him and that the “Drina River carried his body away.” He has also been charged with pillaging houses in Rodica Brdo and other villages.
At today’s hearing, prosecutor Seid Marusic said he would examine 13 witnesses.
“I can hardly wait to hear what the witnesses have to say,” Popovic said.
Defense attorney Nenad Rubez denied the allegations contained in the indictment in their entirety.
“I hope the witnesses will still tell the real truth,” he said.
The state court previously acquitted Popovic’s son, Goran Popovic, of charges of war crimes in Visegrad.
The first prosecution witness will be examined on September 23.
