DEFENSE MOTION GRANTED: Trial for crimes in Vlasenica starts anew

(Patria) - The trial of Radenko Stanić, Miroslav Kraljević and Goran Garić, charged with crimes in the Vlasenica area, will be renewed after more than a year of delay, a change in the panel member and the separation of proceedings regarding the first accused, Mane Đurić.

The panel accepted the Defense's proposal to renew the trial and decided that the testimonies of the 46 witnesses heard so far will be reviewed at the hearings.

Defense attorney Veljko Ćivša said that the evidence should be presented anew, given that the proceedings have lasted for several years, there was a longer pause in the trial, and a panel member was replaced.

“This case has lost so much momentum and focus that no one can find their way anymore,” said defense attorney Slobodan Cvijetić.

Defense attorney Nenad Rubež stated that two out of three panel members have not heard all 46 witnesses, and the trial has not been held for more than a year. According to him, the purpose of the legal provision on renewing the trial after more than 30 days is lost.

Prosecutor Seid Marušić believes that the evidence should not be presented again.

After a break, the panel adopted the Defense's proposal and ordered the Prosecution to state within three days whether it is necessary to re-call any of the witnesses heard so far.

“If it is not necessary, then we will proceed with reviewing the testimonies and finally get this case moving continuously,” said the presiding judge of the panel, Enida Hadžiomerović.

The two witnesses summoned for today were sent back.

The Court recently, for the second time, separated the proceedings against the first accused, Mane Đurić, due to health reasons. The case against Đurić was previously separated and then rejoined, in accordance with expert findings.

The trial, after earlier changes in the panel's composition and the decision to join the proceedings against Đurić, had already started anew in 2021, when certain witnesses were called to testify again.

The indictment in this case was filed in February 2018. Stanić, Kraljević and Garić are charged with the persecution of Bosniak civilians in Vlasenica – through unlawful imprisonment, murders, sexual abuse, torture, disappearances and other inhumane acts committed during 1992 and 1993. According to the indictment, Stanić was a commander, Kraljević a commander of a special platoon, and Garić a police officer.

The continuation of the trial is scheduled for November 13.