Defense Claims: Trial of Ado Balijagić is Unfair, Verdict Predetermined

The defense of Ado Balijagić has begun presenting evidence before the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo, aiming to prove the defendant's innocence, Patria reports.

The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Sarajevo suspects Ado Balijagić and his father, Tuzla-based lawyer Faruk Balijagić, of inciting two individuals to murder a third person. According to the indictment, the Balijagićs allegedly persuaded Eldan Žigović and Nebojša Glavaš to murder Adnan Maglić. At least, that is what Žigović, Glavaš, and Maglić reported.

Faruk Balijagić is currently in Croatia. He is also a Croatian citizen. He is unavailable to the Bosnian judiciary. Ado Balijagić is in custody in Zenica. The indictment against the Balijagićs was filed in late 2015.

For Balijagić's defense, this entire case is — fabricated. They claim the Panel does not allow them a fair defense. The judicial panel, they believe, is pressuring the defense and denying them the opportunity to present evidence. For them, this trial is predetermined. Faruk Balijagić himself previously stated that the case against him and his son was fabricated because, as a lawyer, he had pointed out illegal actions within the Sarajevo Prosecutor's Office.

Today in the courtroom, the defense played a series of recordings, audio logs of intercepted phone conversations between Balijagić, Glavaš, and others, which, Balijagić's lawyers claim, clearly indicate the defendants' innocence.

The defense also played recordings of intercepted conversations between inspectors from the Ministry of Interior of Canton Sarajevo and Glavaš. For the defense, it is devastating that the inspectors had unofficial contacts with Glavaš. They said no one has been sanctioned for this to date.

- Members of the Ministry of Interior of Canton Sarajevo were disclosing official secrets. Specifically, they were revealing Faruk Balijagić's conversations to Nebojša Glavaš. They also met with Glavaš – stated the defendant's lawyer, Belma Balijagić-Džuho.

At one point, lawyer Balijagić-Džuho requested that a verdict for her client be pronounced immediately, as she believes the Court is already prejudiced that Ado Balijagić is guilty of the acts he is charged with. For her, it is pointless to continue the process under such circumstances.

During today's trial, Ado Balijagić was at one point removed from the courtroom because he spoke without the Panel's permission.

- Today, the Panel officially rejected the most important evidence of the defense. These are expert witness evidence that should have turned the entire process in a different direction. Instead of these witnesses, the Panel pressured us to reduce the number of witnesses. Today, at this hearing, the right to defense of Ado Balijagić was officially violated – said Balijagić-Džuho.

- At one point, I was even suggested that I could appeal the verdict, which means the verdict will be a conviction – added Balijagić-Džuho.

Balijagić's lawyer, Petko Budiša, also stated he is not satisfied with the trial.

- If we challenge the allegations of the indictment and propose relevant evidence, and evidence necessary to refute the indictment, then no one has the right to deny us that. No one is above the law. It is sad even if the Court wants to claim it is above the law – said Budiša.

The trial in the Balijagić case will continue on December 20.