Court of BiH Seeks Expert Assessment of Ališpaga's Health Condition to Determine if He Can Follow the Trial

At the Court of BiH today, the trial of Zulfikar Ališpaga continued, but due to his health, the Trial Chamber requested a new expert assessment to determine if he can attend the trial.

At the status conference, attorney Ragib Hadžić said that Ališpaga will undergo a "reoperation" in the coming period, as the previous one was unsuccessful. He added that the defendant, who has lost 35 kilograms, is currently considering which clinic will perform the "reoperation," BIRN reports, as carried by the BiH news agency Patria.

- My digestion is not functioning - said the defendant Ališpaga, explaining that part of his esophagus had been removed.

Ališpaga was charged with crimes committed in the village of Trusina along with five other members of the Army of BiH (ARBiH) – Mensur Memić, Dževad Salčin, Senad Hakalović, Nedžad Hodžić, and Nihad Bojadžić. However, due to his illness, the proceedings were separated in March of last year.

Željka Marenić, presiding judge of the Trial Chamber, said that the expert assessment based on all previous findings will be conducted by a doctor appointed by the Court of BiH, while the attorney stated that there is no sufficiently qualified person in the country to assess the complete situation. He added that he will also submit an opinion from a doctor abroad.

Presiding Judge Marenić said that medical experts concluded last summer that the defendant could attend the trial twice a day for two hours each time, with breaks in between.

In the meantime, former members of the Special Purpose Unit "Zulfikar" Memić, Hodžić, and Bojadžić were non-final sentenced to 37 years in prison for the murders of Croatian civilians and captured soldiers in Trusina. Salčin, also a former member of that unit, and Hakalović, a former member of the "Neretvica" brigade, were acquitted of the charges.

As the commander of the Special Purpose Unit "Zulfikar," Ališpaga is charged with "failing to take necessary and reasonable measures to ensure the perpetrators of the crime were punished."

The next status conference is scheduled for October 12.