Four former members of the Croatian Defence Forces were sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison for abusing Serb prisoners at the Dretelj detention camp and in Mostar in 1992.
The Bosnian state court will issue a verdict in the case of Ivan Zelenika, Srecko Herceg, Edib Buljubasic, Ivan Medic, and Marina Grubisic-Fejzic on April 14. All of them are charged with committing crimes against civilians in Herzegovina.
Ivan Medics defense said in their closing statement today that Medic did not commit crimes against civilians in Dretelj. Medics defense attorney, Emina Hasanovic, requested that the court hand down a not guilty verdict.
The former deputy commander of Croatian Defence Forces wartime Dretelj detention camp admitted that he abused Serb prisoners in 1992 and begged for their forgiveness.
Srecko Hercegs defense has requested that he be acquitted of charges for crimes allegedly committed against Bosnian Serb civilians in Dretelj during the Bosnian war.
The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH, requests the Court to pronounce Ivan Zelenika, Srecko Herceg, Edib Buljubasic, Ivan Medic and Marina Grubisic-Fejzic guilty of crimes in Dretelj. The Defence of Ivan Zelenika calls for a verdict of release.
Presenting its closing statement, the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH, points out that indictees Ivan Zelenika, Srecko Herceg, Edib Buljubasic, Ivan Medic and Marina Grubisic-Fejzic were members of a joint criminal enterprise on the territory of Herzegovina.
An additional witness of Edib Buljubasic, who is charged with crimes in Dretelj, near Capljina, denies having been superior and issued orders to the indictee.
At the trial for crimes in Dretelj, near Capljina, the State Prosecution presents additional material evidence. After that the Defence of the indictees request that additional witnesses be examined.
The Trial Chamber has again granted the request of Edib Buljubasic, charged with crimes committed in Dretelj near Capljina, who asked for the dismissal of his attorney.