3 July 2008
News
Basic: Permanently unable to follow the trial
BIRN BiHAfter separating this case from the indictment for Vlasenica crimes due to indictee Veljko Basic's poor health, the decision on further measures to be undertaken by the Court is still pending.
On the basis of court expert's findings, the Trial Chamber agreed to try Veljko Basic separately from Predrag Bastah and Goran Viskovic, although they were originally charged under the same indictment.
The Defence teams filed the case separation motion due to Basic's bad health state. After that, the court experts examined the 82-years old Basic and determined that he was "permanently unable" to follow the trial.
"Considering the court expert's findings, we have decided to separate the cases," Trial Chamber Chairman Zoran Bozic said.
The Chamber did not inform the public whether or when the trial of Basic would take place.
The State Prosecution charged Basic, Bastah and Viskovic, under a joint indictment, with crimes against civilians in Vlasenica area in the course of 1992.
The indictment alleges that Basic was manager of "Susica" detention camp and member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, MUP RS, Bastah was member of MUP RS reserve police forces and Viskovic was member of the Republika Srpska Army.
"Following an examination of his internal organs, one can conclude that the patient, who is rather old, has respiratory problems, as well as a irregular and improper heart function. Further on, this affects the functioning of vital organs, so he is not able to concentrate and follow the trial," court experts consider, adding that "the indictee is senile" and his "brain is permanently damaged."
"On the basis of the examination, I determined that the patient suffers from judgment, memory and intellectual disorders. I must stress that his disability is permanent," Dr Marija Kaucis-Komsic said.
Basic's Defence team filed a motion, requesting the termination of an obligation to report to the Police Station in Vlasenica, which was ordered, together with six other prohibitive measures, by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in late January 2008. This would enable the indictee to be treated in the hospital in Zvornik.
The State Prosecution did not object the proposal. The Trial Chamber will render its decision at a later stage.
The three indictees were arrested, as per a warrant issued by the State Prosecution, in late January 2008. The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed the indictment in April 2008.
The Defence teams filed the case separation motion due to Basic's bad health state. After that, the court experts examined the 82-years old Basic and determined that he was "permanently unable" to follow the trial.
"Considering the court expert's findings, we have decided to separate the cases," Trial Chamber Chairman Zoran Bozic said.
The Chamber did not inform the public whether or when the trial of Basic would take place.
The State Prosecution charged Basic, Bastah and Viskovic, under a joint indictment, with crimes against civilians in Vlasenica area in the course of 1992.
The indictment alleges that Basic was manager of "Susica" detention camp and member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, MUP RS, Bastah was member of MUP RS reserve police forces and Viskovic was member of the Republika Srpska Army.
"Following an examination of his internal organs, one can conclude that the patient, who is rather old, has respiratory problems, as well as a irregular and improper heart function. Further on, this affects the functioning of vital organs, so he is not able to concentrate and follow the trial," court experts consider, adding that "the indictee is senile" and his "brain is permanently damaged."
"On the basis of the examination, I determined that the patient suffers from judgment, memory and intellectual disorders. I must stress that his disability is permanent," Dr Marija Kaucis-Komsic said.
Basic's Defence team filed a motion, requesting the termination of an obligation to report to the Police Station in Vlasenica, which was ordered, together with six other prohibitive measures, by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in late January 2008. This would enable the indictee to be treated in the hospital in Zvornik.
The State Prosecution did not object the proposal. The Trial Chamber will render its decision at a later stage.
The three indictees were arrested, as per a warrant issued by the State Prosecution, in late January 2008. The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed the indictment in April 2008.
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