Belgrade prosecution more focused on politics than facts in Jurišić case

Ilija Jurišić, a former member of the MUP of RBiH from Tuzla, accused of an alleged attack on a JNA convoy on May 15, 1992, in Tuzla, in which several JNA members were killed, stated today before the Court of Appeals in Belgrade that he believes the Court will not allow a completely innocent man to be harmed, alluding to the fact that he is being prosecuted in Belgrade for something he is not responsible for, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Ilija Jurišić was arrested on May 11, 2007, at the Belgrade airport, and his trial began on February 22, 2008.

The trial panel stated that Jurišić was guilty because he conveyed the order to attack the JNA convoy, which was allegedly issued by the head of the Tuzla crisis staff, Meša Bajrić. At that time, soldiers who were not prepared for combat were allegedly fired upon.

Jurišić was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a special court in Belgrade. The case was named "Tuzla Convoy," and it is stated that more than 54 JNA soldiers were killed and 44 wounded in the attack.

In 2010, he was released, but the proceedings were soon returned to the beginning.

Jurišić's lawyer, Đorđe Dozet, warned that during the proceedings, the prosecution was more concerned with history and politics, and least with establishing Ilija Jurišić's personal responsibility and role on May 15, 1992, reports NAP.