Crimes in Grbavica: Trial of Duško Dabetić Begins

The trial of Duško Dabetić, accused of crimes committed in the Sarajevo settlement of Grbavica, began at the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo with the reading of the indictment and opening statements by the Prosecution and Defense, BIRN reported, as conveyed by the BiH news agency Patria.

The indictment charges Dabetić with beating and then raping a woman of Muslim nationality in 1992, along with Predrag Mišković. He is accused of repeatedly raping the same woman in 1992 and 1993.

The indictment states that Dabetić supervised a work detail in Grbavica and was later a member of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS).

Prosecutor Nives Kanevčev stated that the actions from the indictment will be proven by hearing the testimony of the victim, witnesses who were held captive in Grbavica, and experts.

In its opening statement, the Defense stated that it would challenge the credibility and legality of the Prosecution's evidence, as well as all elements of the war crime against the civilian population for which Dabetić is accused.

The Defense also intends to challenge the accused's military engagement as stated in the indictment.

Turkish police arrested Dabetić at the end of March 2015 under an Interpol warrant, and he was extradited to Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 17.

The indictment against Dabetić was confirmed on September 7, and he pleaded not guilty in October of this year.

According to the indictment, he entered the victim's apartment through the window and, along with Mišković, ordered her to undress. The victim, as stated, fled to the upper floor of the building, after which Dabetić and Mišković caught her and beat her until she began to lose consciousness.

Then, in her apartment, she was first raped by Dabetić, and then by Mišković, after which Dabetić himself repeatedly raped her in the apartment he used in the following period.

Mišković was sentenced to seven years in prison for war crimes against civilians committed during the war in Grbavica.

The first Prosecution witnesses will be heard at the hearing scheduled for December 10, writes NAP.