Avdovic Defense Presents Closing Statement

Ramiz Avdovic and Iulian-Nicolae Vintila have been charged with war crimes committed against Serb civilians at the Viktor Bubanj military barracks. The prosecution alleges that the civilian prisoners held in those facilities were subjected to torture and abuse, and were also ordered to perform forced labour.

The indictment alleges that Avdovic was the guard commander on the fifth floor of the district prison in Sarajevo and at the former Viktor Bubanj military barracks, while Vintila was a cook and guard in the barracks.

Presenting his closing statement, defense attorney Mirza Kovac said three criminal acts in the indictment attributed to Avdovic had not been proven.

“Ramiz Avdovic was a guard and nothing more than that,” Kovac said.

Kovac said Avdovic couldn’t undertake any actions that could have led to the improvement of the detainees’ living conditions in detention.

Kovac commented on testimony given by witness Dragomir Pejovic, who said the defendant kicked him in the shin. Kovac said his memory was questionable, because he was unable to recognize Avdovic in the courtroom even though he said he knew him.

Kovac said one could figure out which high-ranking officials were familiar with the behaviour of certain guards during the trial proceedings.

Kovac said possible injuries to the detainees should be considered light injuries, based on the findings of a court expert.

Kovac will continue presenting his closing statement on December 15.