On 3 June 2008k, the Special Department for War Crimes of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia Herzegovina ordered the arrest of Zoran Tomić on allegations of Genocide, stemming from his actions as a police officer in Srebrenica in 1995. He was subsequently arrested in Zvornik.
At the court hearing on custody on 3rd June 2008, evidence was submitted by the Prosecutor’s Office that there was reasonable suspicion that Zoran Tomić participated in the capture and killing of Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995. The Court accepted the evidence presented and issued a decision ordering suspect Zoran Tomić into one-month custody. The custody order was issued on the basis that there is both a risk of flight on the part of the accused and a risk that the accused might hinder the criminal proceedings by influencing witnesses and possible accomplices. The Court made specific reference in its ruling to the existence of a reasonable fear that Zoran Tomić might destroy or conceal evidence, particularly due to the fact that the mass graves have still not been located. The Court also noted that the custody order was made for reasons of public safety.
In September 2008, Tomic entered his not guilty plea.
On 21 October 2008, the State Court ordered for the indictments against Radomir Vukovic (see "related cases") and Zoran Tomic to be merged. Both men are charged with genocide in Srebrenica in July 1995.
Trial Watch would like to remind its users that any person charged by national or international authorities is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
