Verdict for Keserović: Both Prosecution and Defence Seek Sentence for Fighting in Syria

(Patria) - The pronouncement of the verdict for Jasmin Keserović is scheduled for today, February 25. In closing arguments at the trial of Jasmin Keserović for fighting in Syria, both the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Defence of the accused requested a conviction.

Unlike the defence, the Prosecutor's Office deemed both counts of the indictment for terrorism proven – joining foreign paramilitary formations and publicly inciting terrorist activities.

The defence proposed that Keserović be sentenced to between two and a half and three and a half years in prison for the first count, assessing that the allegations that the accused publicly called for killings were not proven.

Prosecutor Ćazim Hasanspahić emphasised that this case differs from other proceedings conducted before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding travel to foreign battlefields. He stated that it was not enough for Keserović to join the terrorist organisation ISIL, but that he is one of two BiH citizens who issued threats.

He noted that evidence included a video, published on networks, in which Keserović calls for the killing of Christians and their servants, stating that no distinction should be made between civilians and soldiers.

Pointing to the serious crimes committed during the war in BiH, Hasanspahić asked whether evil must be relived here again. According to him, it is a matter of abusing the religious feelings of one people and a distorted interpretation of Islam.

The prosecutor said it was a pernicious message deserving a strict sentence.

He recalled witness statements and evidence of how Keserović travelled to Syria on January 23, 2013, and joined ISIL units, that he was seen in several Syrian cities, that he carried a rifle and uniform, and went on guard duty.

“Beyond reasonable doubt, you can conclude that he fought on the side of the terrorist organisation ISIL,” said the prosecutor, stating that the accused spent seven years in Syria.

He referred to the brutal and mass executions by ISIL fighters, and the inspiration and incitement of this organisation for terrorist attacks worldwide.

As he said, the consequences of ISIL's activities are also felt here. He stated that 150 departures to foreign battlefields were registered in BiH.

“Even today, there are BiH citizens in camps who travelled seduced by the ideas of the Islamic State… Many children from BiH today wander the camps of Al-Hol and Al-Bab,” said Hasanspahić.

Defence attorney Senad Dupovac said that, unusually for the Defence, he would seek a sentence for the accused. He believes that Keserović should be sentenced to a penalty within the range of those already imposed on four of the seven BiH citizens extradited in December 2019.

Dupovac stated that Keserović went to Syria during the “Arab Spring,” when ISIL had not yet been declared a terrorist organisation.

According to him, protests against undemocratic regimes in Syria met with a brutal reaction from the authorities, which led to departures.

The defence attorney said the accused left at the age of 18 and a half, during adolescence, when rash decisions are made.

He recalled witness statements that they saw him carrying food to women in the camp or translating from Arabic, and sometimes on guard duty.

For the Defence, the video recording, consisting of several clips, is disputed because it is not known when, where, or who made it.

Even if the authenticity of the recording were not disputed, as Dupovac said, no voice analysis was conducted to determine that it was Keserović.

“If the video were not disputed, a disputed moment still arises – whether Keserović speaks the horrifying message,” he pointed out.

The defence attorney said the accused has no prior convictions, is married and a father of two children, who are in Syria, and that he expressed remorse for his recklessness.

“Many have prejudices against these people that they are radical extremists. This is an ordinary young man who at one point made a wrong decision,” he said, adding that Keserović tried to return from Syria.

Dupovac said that since 2005 he has defended those accused of terrorism and that Keserović is the “softest” of those he knows.

In his closing address, the accused repeated his remorse for going to Syria. He said he has nothing to do with the disputed video.

“If anyone has the right to shed tears, it is me, the parent of a child who died… I am not a terrorist. I am just a young Muslim,” said Keserović, as reported by BIRN.