prijava
SARAJEVO, September 19 (FENA) - Former Bosnian Serb fighter Radomir Šušnjar, who is on trial for killing 57 Bosniak civilians in a house that was set on fire in Višegrad in 1992, asked for an acquittal, telling the court he was innocent.
Radomir Šušnjar told the Bosnian state court on Thursday that he felt pity for the victims, but did not participate in the murder of 57 civilians in a house in Pionirska Street in Višegrad in June 1992.
“I do not feel guilty, because I am not the person who did that,” said ex-fighter Šušnjar.
He was speaking as his defense presented its closing arguments in his trial and called for his acquittal due to a lack of solid evidence.
“In this case, nothing can be concluded beyond reasonable doubt except for the fact that there was an armed conflict,” said defense lawyer Dejan Bogdanović.
The defense lawyer argued that witness testimonies did not give a clear picture of who was to blame.
“The interpretation of the event is confusing and unclear,” Bogdanović said.
The prosecution had argued that Šušnjar arrived at a house in Pionirska Street in Višegrad, to which Bosniak civilians had been brought, accompanied by fellow Bosnian Serb fighters Milan and Sredoje Lukić.
Milan Lukić had ordered the civilians to hand over their money and other valuables, then Šušnjar searched them, ordering them to take their clothes off and turn around and stand naked in front of him.
The prosecutor said the civilians were then ordered to go into another house, at which Milan Lukić threw an incendiary device, causing a fire.
Šušnjar threw a hand grenade into the house, and all three started shooting to prevent the civilians from escaping and exiting the house, according to the prosecution.
Milan Lukić was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Hague Tribunal for war crimes in Višegrad, including the murders in Pionirska Street, while Sredoje Lukić was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
Šušnjar, who was previously living in France, was extradited to Sarajevo last year.
The verdict has been scheduled for October 30, BIRN reports.
(FENA) S. R.
