Former Croatian Defence Council fighter Ivan Zelenika was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for the inhumane treatment of Bosniak civilian detainees in Mostar during wartime.
Presenting its closing statement at the Ivan Zelenika trial, the cantonal prosecution of Mostar called upon the trial chamber to find the defendant guilty. The defense called for a verdict of release.
Ivan Zelenika testified in his own defense at the cantonal court in Mostar. He said he had never heard of Almir Lalic or his father, Muhamed Hamo Lalic, both civilians he allegedly abused.
A defense witness testifying at the Ivan Zelenika trial said he didn’t see or hear of former Heliodrom detention camp prisoner Almir Lalic being mistreated by the defendant. Almir Lalic himself also testified at the trial.
Witnesses testifying at the Ivan Zelenika trial described the injuries sustained by the injured party after he was allegedly beaten by the defendant.
The Bosnian state court will issue a verdict in the case of Ivan Zelenika, Srecko Herceg, Edib Buljubasic, Ivan Medic, and Marina Grubisic-Fejzic on April 14. All of them are charged with committing crimes against civilians in Herzegovina.
Ivan Medic’s defense said in their closing statement today that Medic did not commit crimes against civilians in Dretelj. Medic’s defense attorney, Emina Hasanovic, requested that the court hand down a not guilty verdict.
Srecko Herceg’s defense has requested that he be acquitted of charges for crimes allegedly committed against Bosnian Serb civilians in Dretelj during the Bosnian war.