Proceedings Against Bunoza Won’t Be Separated, Trial Chamber Confirms

Bunoza, Godinjak and Saric have been charged with participating in a joint criminal enterprise with the aim of killing and detaining Serbs in villages in the Trnovo area.

According to the charges, Godinjak was the chief of the public safety station in Trnovo, Saric was the commander of the Territorial Defense Headquarters in Trnovo and Bunoza was the commander of Croatian Defense Forces units.

The trial chamber rendered its decision after having heard testimony by neuropsychiatrist Zorica Lazarevic, who confirmed that Bunoza doesn’t suffer from epilepsy.

Lazarevic came to that conclusion after reviewing Bunoza’s medical documentation from 2001 to mid-December 2015.

Defense attorney Midhat Koco objected to Lazarevic’s findings, which he described as incomplete. Koco said he would submit documentation issued prior to 2001, which clearly indicated that Bunoza was diagnosed with epilepsy.

The trial chamber asked Lazarevic if a 2008 medical document diagnosing Bunoza with epilepsy was falsified.

“That document doesn’t contain anything,” Lazarevic said.

Lazarevic also said a document indicating that Bunoza’s daughter also suffered from epilepsy was not relevant.

“I’ve been falling down for 45 years. My daughter inherited it from me,” Bunoza said. He said his daughter underwent medical treatment for epilepsy in Switzerland.

Lazarevic said following an epileptic seizure, a person can continue performing their regular activities in approximately three hours.

She said although Bunoza was diagnosed with PTSD and depression, these conditions didn’t mean the defendant couldn’t attend hearings lasting a few hours.

The trial will continue on January 5, 2016. New state prosecution witnesses will be examined at the next hearing.