Measures against Indicted Father and Son Discussed

The Defence objected to the motion. The Court will render a decision at a later stage.

“We consider that it is necessary to extend the prohibiting measures against indictee Marinko Bjelica. Guided by health reasons, we decided not to request custody for this indictee. I propose that the measures, including a ban on leaving his place of residence, a ban on travelling and meeting certain persons, be extended,” Prosecutor Munib Halilovic said.

He said that it was necessary to extend custody for indictee Zoran Bjelica due to existence of fear that he might interfere with the proceeding by influencing witnesses and accomplices.

He said that he was “a person inclined to conflicts”, adding that he “tried to kill his father” and that “witnesses know that”.

“Six of the witnesses have requested protection measures. A custody measure is necessary until we have examined some key witnesses,” Halilovic said.

Milan Romanic, Defence attorney of Zoran Bjelica, objected to the extension of custody, adding that other measures could be ordered against him.

“It is true that he stood trial for attempted murder in 2000. The one-year sentence had a correctional effect. They are living in the same house without any conflicts,” Romanic said.

Marinko and Zoran Bjelica, former members of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, are charged with having participated in the murder and abuse of Bosniak civilians, who were held in the “Miladin Radojevic” school building in Kalinovik in August 1992.

Dragan Medjovic, Defence attorney of Marinko Bjelica, said that he did not see any reasons for extending the prohibiting measures, adding that he was an extremely ill, bed-ridden person.