Bosnian Serb Soldier Acquitted of Killing Bosniak

The prosecution had alleged that Simic, accompanied by another soldier, took Mustafa Osmanbegovic from the field in Sevarlije to a military barracks.

Osmanbegovic has been missing ever since, and his body has not been found.

“The only fact established by the chamber is that the defendant participated in taking Mustafa Osmanbegovic away, which was also confirmed by witnesses, but the defendant’s awareness [of the crime] and [his] intent remains in the domain of assumptions,” said presiding judge Zeljka Marenic.

Marenic said the defendant and defence witnesses testified that Osmanbegovic was taken to the military barracks, handed over to the commander and kept there for several days.

She said there was no evidence that Simic knew what would happen to Osmanbegovic after having brought him to the barracks.

“On the basis of the pieces of evidence that were presented, it has not been possible to determine that his actions constituted a part of a widespread and systematic attack. The chamber is of the opinion that the important elements of a crime against humanity have not been proved,” Marenic added.

The verdict can be appealed.