Rogatica Wartime Rape Trial Begins

Presenting her opening statement, prosecutor Lejla Konjic said she would demonstrate that the defendants raped several Bosniak women in June and July 1992 through witness testimony and the presentation of material evidence.

Konjic said the injured parties were civilians and that their rape was not justified by any military necessity. Konjic said she intended to demonstrate that the defendants were aware of their actions and targeted female civilians who were held in detention.

According to the indictment, the defendants forcibly took Bosniak women and girls who were detained in a secondary school and church house to apartments in Rogatica, where they raped them.

Ikonic has been charged with raping a protected witness known as S-1 on several occasions. Lubarda has been charged with repeatedly raping a protected witness known as N-1. Ilic has been charged with raping a protected witness known as S-3, who was a minor at the time.

Ikonic was a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, while Ilic and Lubarda were members of the Bosnian Serb Army.

The trial will continue on January 22.