War crimes suspect in custody

The Bosnian Court ordered a month's custody to Idhan Sipic who voluntarily surrendered and admitted to murders during the war. On 26 October 2007, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a decision ordering one month's custody to Idhan Sipic, who is suspected of war crimes against civilians. War crimes suspect in custody Under this decision, custody may last until November 23, 2007. The prosecution has justified the motion by claiming that the suspect may seek to influence witnesses and accessories. Idhan "Nuno" Sipic surrendered to the local police in Bihac and has admitted the crime, which was committed 12 years ago. "The investigation against Sipic is associated with another extensive investigation covering a large number of perpetrators of a war crime committed in the Bosanski Petrovac area," state prosecutor Milorad Barasin said. The Bosnian Prosecution considers that, in the course of the Sana 95 military operation conducted in September 1995, Sipic - a former member of the Fifth Corps of the Bosnian Army - committed war crime against civilians. He allegedly killed a Serb woman by knifing her neck with a bayonet and throwing her body into a well. The victim's body was eventually discovered, and a DNA analysis of the remains is currently underway. Sipic's Defense has objected the potential custody order, arguing that "the Prosecutor has not referred to the circumstances under which the suspect might influence the witnesses, as their names are not indicated". "The suspect admitted the crime, which means that he provided the facts related to the commitment of the crime. This implies that his potential attempts to influence the witnesses are irrelevant," said Binasa Abaspahic, the suspect's attorney. The Court will render its decision concerning the custody order motion at a later stage.

War crimes suspect in custody

Under this decision, custody may last until November 23, 2007.

The prosecution has justified the motion by claiming that the suspect may seek to influence witnesses and accessories.

Idhan "Nuno" Sipić surrendered to the local police in Bihać and has admitted the crime, which was committed 12 years ago.

"The investigation against Sipić is associated with another extensive investigation covering a large number of perpetrators of a war crime committed in the Bosanski Petrovac area," state prosecutor Milorad Barasin said.

The Bosnian Prosecution considers that, in the course of the Sana 95 military operation conducted in September 1995, Sipić - a former member of the Fifth Corps of the Bosnian Army - committed war crime against civilians. He allegedly killed a Serb woman by knifing her neck with a bayonet and throwing her body into a well.

The victim's body was eventually discovered, and a DNA analysis of the remains is currently underway.

Sipić's Defense has objected the potential custody order, arguing that "the Prosecutor has not referred to the circumstances under which the suspect might influence the witnesses, as their names are not indicated".

"The suspect admitted the crime, which means that he provided the facts related to the commitment of the crime. This implies that his potential attempts to influence the witnesses are irrelevant," said Binasa Abaspahić, the suspect's attorney.

The Court will render its decision concerning the custody order motion at a later stage.