Vlacic Defense Attorney Asks To Be Released from Trial Duties

Vlacic, a former member of the military police of the Bircanska Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, has been charged with the murder and inhumane treatment of detainees held in the Lovac building. He allegedly took three detained civilians out of their cells and beat them to death.

“I never thought I would have to say this, but I’m not ready for the trial, because I haven’t had any contact with the defendant in months,” defense attorney Dejan Bogdanovic said at today’s hearing.

He said the lack of communication had brought him into an “unpleasant” situation before the chamber.

Bogdanovic said a prosecution witness who appeared at today’s hearing was a key witness, but that he hadn’t discussed any of his statements with his client.

“I’ve called him for five months, asking him to comment on the statements, but he hasn’t responded to my calls,” Bogdanovic said.

Vlacic said he wanted Bogdanovic to be his defense attorney, but suffered from severe mental problems which made communication impossible. He said he felt unable to participate in the trial proceedings at today’s hearing as well.

“I spent a couple of months in a cottage in the forest. I didn’t even have a phone,” Bogdanovic said. He said he was also taking medication and visiting a neuropsychiatrist when necessary.

The prosecution objected to Bogdanovic’s request, and said no legal conditions for releasing him from his role as Vlacic’s defense had been met.

The trial chamber said that if such behaviour continued it would be interpreted as an obstruction of justice.

Bogdanovic asked the court to order an expert examination of the defendant in order to determine his ability to follow the trial. The prosecution agreed to this proposal.

The chamber ordered the defense to submit its request in writing and postponed the trial until further notice.