Vikić and others: Cause of death could not be determined

SARAJevo, (Patria) - In the trial of Dragan Vikić, Jusuf Pušina, Nermin Uzunović, and Mladen Čovčić for the crime committed in Veliki park in Sarajevo, forensic expert Hamza Žujo presented his findings on the examination of remains, stating that the cause of death could not be determined.

Žujo stated that in 2003, one bone was found in one bag in the prosectorium, and a skeleton missing a number of bones was found in another. He noted that samples were taken from the bones for DNA analysis. He said that in no case was it possible to determine the cause of death. He stated that it was unknown where the remains were brought from or who brought them.

At the request of the BiH Prosecutor's Office, neuropsychiatrist expert Abdulah Kučukalić also presented his findings and opinion, concluding in 2016 that witness Sulejman Babić was not capable of testifying. The defense of Vikić proposed that a new expert examination be conducted, considering that it is possible that his condition may have improved since 2016.

Forensic expert Nermin Sarajlić was called to comment on the injuries of three individuals based on hospital records from April 22 and 23, 1992. Sarajlić stated that two individuals had gunshot wounds to the legs, and one had head injuries caused by an explosive device.

Before the findings were presented, the defense objected to the relevance of the expert examination, as individuals unrelated to the case were mentioned. Prosecutor Vesna Ilić stated that one of the individuals was Edvin Jusić, who was mentioned as an executor and as someone who was wounded when a burst of fire opened from the direction of Trebević. She added that information about the other two individuals was provided in the protocol but was not related to the case.

Vikić's defense attorney, Adna Dobojlić, maintained her objection to the relevance after the findings, stating that Edvin Jusić is mentioned in the indictment, but his wounding is not related to the case.

The trial continues on February 27.