CLOSING ARGUMENTS: Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina seeks punishment and ban on practicing law for Vasvija Vidović

(Patria) - The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested that attorney Vasvija Vidović be punished for obstructing evidence and that a measure banning her from practicing law for three years be imposed.

In its closing argument, the Prosecutor's Office assessed that it was undoubtedly proven that Vidović intended to hinder the evidentiary process in criminal proceedings when, on December 18, 2023, acting as defense counsel in the investigation against then-arrested President of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ranko Debevec, she hid his phone, Detektor reports.

“In this case, a relatively small number of subjective and objective pieces of evidence were presented, but these pieces of evidence clearly and precisely confirm the allegations of the indictment,” said prosecutor Bojana Jolović.

She recalled the testimonies of inspectors from the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), who described how Vidović, when left alone with her client, moved her bag closer, into which Debevec placed a mobile phone. She noted that the inspectors repeatedly asked Vidović if she had anything to report or hand over, but she denied it, until the disputed phone was discovered during a search.

Jolović emphasized that when the accused arrived at SIPA, the inspectors told her that phones located in the room should be confiscated, and that she was aware they were used in criminal proceedings.

“All of this shows the intent Vasvija Vidović had, with the aim of concealing objects that could serve as evidence,” the prosecutor said.

According to her, the fact that this involves an attorney with many years of experience and a commendable knowledge of legal regulations increases her responsibility.

“The fact that this act was committed by a defense counsel not only shows increased intent but also an increased degree of responsibility, because it involves someone who knows not only the rights of suspects but also procedural regulations,” Jolović stated.

She dismissed the Defense's objections regarding a difference of a few minutes in the Court and SIPA orders for searching the suspect, as well as the claim that the subject of the search significantly differed between the two orders. She stated that neither Vidović nor her defense attorney had objections during the search.

The prosecutor believes that the fact that the order to search Debevec arrived around midnight, which the Defense emphasized, does not change anything. She assessed that the claims made by the accused in her testimony were unsubstantiated.

“The claims that she acted in accordance with legal ethics are not supported by anything,” Jolović said.

She stated that the very status of the accused is an aggravating circumstance. She requested that Vidović be found guilty and that a sanction be imposed, along with a security measure banning her from practicing law for a period of three years.

The Defense's closing argument is scheduled for January 22.