Goran Popović acquitted of charges for crimes in Višegrad

The Court of BiH acquitted Goran Popović of charges for crimes against humanity in the area of Višegrad due to unconvincing evidence and contradictory witness statements, reports the Patria News Agency.

-The Council concluded, in relation to both counts of the indictment, that the evidence presented by the prosecution, by its content and quality, does not have the necessary persuasive power for the Council to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused Goran Popović is guilty, said the presiding judge Staniša Gluhajić.

Popović was acquitted of charges that, as part of a wide and systematic attack by the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS), knowing about such an attack as a member of those forces, he knowingly participated in the persecution, abuse, and torture of the non-Serb civilian population in the municipality of Višegrad in 1992 and 1993.

According to the verdict, Popović was acquitted of the charge that in June 1992, together with Nebojša Todorović in the village of Okruglo, he participated in the arrest of Nurka Dervišević, and his escort to the police station in Višegrad, where he was physically abused by Milan Lukić. Popović was also acquitted of the charge that he participated in taking Dervišević to the Uzamnica camp.

-Considering the statements of the injured party and Todorović, the Council could not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that this was an illegal arrest of Dervišević. The Council found that the injured party himself does not know who escorted him to 'Uzamnica', as he was intoxicated, and none of the witnesses stated that the accused was present during the encounter between the injured party and Lukić, explained judge Gluhajić.

The Council acquitted Popović of the charge of beating Nurka Dervišević and Adem Berberović in 'Uzamnica' due to Berberović's testimony, which was not corroborated by any other witness.

-It is not disputed for the Council that prisoners in 'Uzamnica' were forced to sing songs, and that there was pork in the food, but it is disputed that the accused forced them to do so, Gluhajić clarified. 

The Council acquitted Popović of the charge that, together with other persons, he participated in taking four civilians out of the hangar in 'Uzamnica', who were forced into sexual relations and physically abused. The Council made this decision due to contradictory statements from the injured parties.

-The injured parties attributed the actions from the indictment in earlier statements to guard Mića Spasojević, and later added Popović, said Gluhajić.

Popović's restrictive measures were lifted, and an appeal to the Appellate Council is permitted against this verdict, writes BIRN.