Bosnian Serb Ex-Policeman Asks for Acquittal in Persecution Trial

Lawyer Petko Pavlovic said the prosecution had not proved the allegations that Milovanovic, as a reserve policeman at the Skelani police station, participated in the persecution of the Bosniak civilian population in the area.

According to the charges, in the afternoon on May 8, 1992, Milovanovic, who was accompanied by members of military, paramilitary and police formations, arrived in Resagici, where he participated in an attack and gave an order to set houses on fire.

“The prosecutor did not even suggest, let along prove, who the defendant gave those orders to,” Pavlovic said.

Analysing the prosecution’s witnesses, Pavlovic pointed out that some of them spoke about the defendant positively and claimed they had no knowledge of his participation in the violence in Resagici.

The defence lawyer also said that some of the witnesses argued that a reserve policeman could not issue orders to anyone.

At a previous hearing, the prosecution called for a verdict convicting Milovanovic.

The court has scheduled the verdict for February 27.