Female Bosnian Returnees from Syria ‘Unable to Testify’
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Senad Kasupović. Photo: Sud BiH
At the request of the prosecution, psychiatric expert Azra Alajbegovic analysed whether the four witnesses could take part in the trial.
Alajbegovic told the court about the witnesses’ health problems, claiming that it could not be foreseen how some of them would react to having to appear in court. One of them might be able to testify with professional assistance and special assistance, she added.
Defence lawyer Husein Music asked how long the witnesses had had these health problems and whether they were capable when giving their statements last year.
Alajbegovic replied that she did not examine them at the time, but they might have endured some discomfort. She noted that their statements were taken one day after their arrival from Syria.
The defence said it had no objection to the expert witness’ findings, while prosecutor Cazim Hasanspahic proposed that the statements given by the four witnesses during the investigation be read at the next hearing.
He asked the court to warn the public not to disclose the witnesses’ names due to their personal and family circumstances. Presiding judge Mirsad Strika accepted the suggestion.
The prosecutor said he would not call any other witnesses.
Kasupovic is accused of having travelled from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Syria in 2013 and fought for so-called Islamic State, which has been declared a terrorist organization by the UN.
The trial is due to continue on December 2.
