ZADAR, Sept 23 (Hina) - Following a several-month recess, the trial against Zorana Banic, 51, charged with war crimes in Skabrnja in 1991 commenced again in Zadar County Court on Monday.
ZADAR, Sept 23 (Hina) - Following a several-month recess, the trial
against Zorana Banic, 51, charged with war crimes in Skabrnja in
1991 commenced again in Zadar County Court on Monday. #L#
The president of the panel of judges, Enka Mokovic, once again
questioned witnesses for the prosecution previously cross-
examined.
Because of the long recess it was necessary to ascertain if
witnesses still testified as they had done in their initial
testimonies, Judge Mokovic explained. The witnesses said that they
stood by their testimonies given in the spring this year.
This was followed with testimonies of four defence witnesses, who
were cross-examined in Belgrade and Kotor, being read to the court.
Judging their testimonies, Banic was in her home in Zemunik Gornji
on November 18, 1991, when the alleged crimes were committed.
After the testimonies were read, witnesses for the prosecution,
Svetka Miljanic and Miroslav Juric protested. The two survived the
Skabrnja massacre. I saw Zorana Banic on November 18, 1991 in
Skabrnja. She wore a uniform and was armed and shooting, Miljanic
said. Juric also reacted stating that witnesses for the prosecution
were compelled to come to Zadar and make their testimonies in person
and not give written testimonies that were perjuries.
The trial will continue on Tuesday.
In 1998, Zorana Banic was sentenced in her absence to 20 years
imprisonment for war crimes committed in Skabrnja. On the basis of
an international warrant, she was arrested in Switzerland last year
and extradited to Croatia where she was allowed a re-trial.
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