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UNITED NATIONS International Tribunal for the Case No.: IT-96-21-T Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of Date: 16 November 1998 International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 Original: English IN THE TRIAL CHAMBER Before: Judge Adolphus G. Karibi-Whyte, Presiding Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito Judge Saad Saood Jan Registrar: Mrs. Dorothee de Sampayo Garrido-Nijgh Judgement of: 16 November 1998 PROSECUTOR v. ZEJNIL DELALI] ZDRAVKO MUCI] also known as “PAVO” HAZIM DELI] ESAD LAND@O also known as “ZENGA” JUDGEMENT The Office of the Prosecutor: Mr. Grant Niemann Ms. Teresa McHenry Counsel for the Accused: Ms. Edina Re{idovi}, Mr. Eugene O’Sullivan, for Zejnil Delali} Ms. Nihada Buturovi}, Mr. Howard Morrison, for Zdravko Muci} Mr. Salih Karabdi}, Mr. Thomas Moran, for Hazim Deli} Ms. Cynthia McMurrey, Ms. Nancy Boler, for Esad Land`o Case No.: IT-96-21-T 16 November 1998 i CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 1 A. The International Tribunal..........................................................................................................................2 B. The Indictment.............................................................................................................................................2 1. ESAD LAND@O .......................................................................................................................................3 (a) Wilful Killing and Murder.....................................................................................................................4 (b) Torture and Cruel Treatment .................................................................................................................4 (c) Causing Great Suffering or Serious Injury and Cruel Treatment.............................................................5 2. HAZIM DELI].........................................................................................................................................6 (a) Wilful Killing and Murder.....................................................................................................................6 (b) Torture and Cruel Treatment .................................................................................................................7 (c) Inhuman Treatment and Cruel Treatment...............................................................................................7 (d) Causing Great Suffering or Serious Injury and Cruel Treatment.............................................................8 (e) Unlawful Confinement of Civilians .......................................................................................................8 (f) Plunder of Private Property ...................................................................................................................8 3. ZEJNIL DELALI] and ZDRAVKO MUCI].............................................................................................9 (a) Wilful Killing and Murder.....................................................................................................................9 (b) Torture and Cruel Treatment ...............................................................................................................10 (c) Causing Great Suffering or Serious Injury and Cruel Treatment...........................................................10 (d) Inhuman Treatment and Cruel Treatment.............................................................................................11 (e) Unlawful Confinement of Civilians .....................................................................................................12 (f) Plunder of Private Property .................................................................................................................12 C. Procedural History.....................................................................................................................................12 1. Indictment-Related Issues........................................................................................................................ 14 2. Provisional Release and Fitness to Stand Trial.......................................................................................... 15 3. Matters Relating to the Detention Unit ..................................................................................................... 16 4. Assignment of Defence Counsel .............................................................................................................. 17 5. Matters Relating to Trial Proceedings ...................................................................................................... 18 6. Witness-Related Issues ............................................................................................................................ 21 (a) Protective Measures ............................................................................................................................21 (b) Video-Link Testimony ........................................................................................................................22 (c) Disclosure of Witness Identity.............................................................................................................23 (d) Additional Witnesses and Issuance of Subpoenae ................................................................................23 (e) Miscellaneous .....................................................................................................................................25 7. Evidentiary Issues.................................................................................................................................... 26 (a) Disclosure Requirements.....................................................................................................................26 (b) Admissibility of Evidence ...................................................................................................................27 (c) Evidence of Prior Sexual Conduct .......................................................................................................30 8. Miscellaneous Issues Relating to the Regulation of Proceedings............................................................... 31 9. Defence of Diminished or Lack of Mental Capacity ................................................................................. 34 10. Judges’ Terms of Office........................................................................................................................... 34 11. Motion for Judgement of Acquittal .......................................................................................................... 35 12. Sentencing Procedure .............................................................................................................................. 36 D. Structure of the Judgement........................................................................................................................37 II. BACKGROUND AND PRELIMINARY FACTUAL FINDINGS.................................... 38 A. Historical and Geographical Background of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.....................39 B. The Concept of All People’s Defence (Total National Defence) ................................................................40 C. Disintegration of the SFRY and Emergence of the New States.................................................................41 Case No.: IT-96-21-T 16 November 1998 ii D. Role of Military Forces in the Conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina..........................................................45 1. The JNA.................................................................................................................................................. 45 2. The HVO ................................................................................................................................................ 48 3. Paramilitary Groups................................................................................................................................. 48 E. The Konjic Municipality - Geographical, Demographic and Political Structure .....................................49 F. Fighting in Konjic and Existence of the ^elebi}i Prison-camp .................................................................52 1. Military Action........................................................................................................................................ 52 2. The Establishment of the ^elebi}i Prison-camp........................................................................................ 56 3. Description of the ^elebi}i Compound..................................................................................................... 57 4. The Arrival, Accommodation and Release of Prisoners ............................................................................ 58 III. APPLICABLE LAW........................................................................................................... 62 A. General Principles of Interpretation..........................................................................................................62 1. General Aids to Interpretation.................................................................................................................. 62 2. Other Canons of Interpretation................................................................................................................