Trial for crimes in Sanski Most postponed

The trial of four defendants for crimes committed in Sanski Most has been postponed due to the absence of one of the defense attorneys, BIRN reported, Patria conveys.

Mediha Pašić, presiding judge of the Court panel, said that the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina tried to contact lawyer Kenan Ademović, but has no information about the reasons for his absence from the courtroom.

- The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina will certainly ask the Defense of the four accused, Mile Kokot, to explain today's absence from the hearing. If it is determined that it was negligence, then lawyer Ademović will have to bear the costs of today's hearing - said Pašić.

Kokot is being tried along with Goran, Milorad, and Ranko Mrđa, former members of the Sixth Sanska Infantry Brigade of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS). They are accused of crimes against victims of Bosniak nationality committed in the wider area of Sanski Most. The committed crimes, according to the indictment, include murders, rapes, beatings, looting, and other psychological and physical abuse.

The trial of four former VRS members began in April 2015. The evidentiary proceedings of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina are ongoing.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 25, Patria reports.