Trial of Oric and Muhic to Begin After Hague Decision

The start date of the trial of Naser Oric and Sabahudin Muhic will be determined after the Hague Tribunal decides on the request by Oric's Defense to dismiss the proceedings against him, reported BIRN, citing the BH News Agency Patria.

Oric's attorney, Lejla Covic, stated at a status conference before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that a request has been filed with the Hague Tribunal to order the dismissal of proceedings because Oric was already definitively acquitted of the same crimes he is accused of in 2008.

- Today we received the response from the Hague Prosecutor's Office, and we intend to submit our response by the end of the day. After that, we are just waiting for a decision - Covic said.

She clarified that the Hague Tribunal can also order a hearing before a decision is made, and it is difficult to say when a decision will be made.

Oric's Defense requested in early November that the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina be ordered to "permanently dismiss the proceedings," emphasizing that he cannot be tried twice for the same offense.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed the indictment in mid-September this year, charging Naser Oric and Sabahudin Muhic with crimes against prisoners of war committed in the areas of Bratunac and Srebrenica.

Oric, former commander of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) units in Srebrenica, and Muhic, a member of these forces, are accused of killing three prisoners of Serb nationality in 1992 in the villages of Zalazje, Lolici, and Kunjerac.

Judge Šaban Maksumić stated that the trial start date will be set after a new status conference on December 22, by which time, he expressed hope, a decision will be made in The Hague.

Prosecutor Miroslav Janjic presented the evidence plan at the status conference, stating that he intends to call 30 witnesses, only one of whom will have protection measures.

- I also want to emphasize that we are withdrawing the call for witness Samir Avdic, for whom the Defense provided an audio recording in which the witness is heard asking the accused to help him return to Bosnia and Herzegovina, stating he is in Serbia under duress, and in return, he would testify in favor of the Defense - said Janjic.

The defenses of Oric and Muhic stated that they will present their evidence plan after the State Prosecutor's Office finishes presenting its evidence, reports NAP.