Mirko Pekez et al: “Not Guilty” Plea

Three indictees charged with having committed crimes against Bosniaks in Jajce municipality in September 1992 have pleaded not guilty before the Court of BiH.

The Prosecution considers that, after attending a funeral of one soldier on September 10, 1992, Mirko (son of Spiro) Pekez, Mirko (son of Mile) Pekez and Milorad Savic – former members of the Republika Srpska Army and reserve police forces – joined forces with other soldiers and agreed, “as an organised and armed group”, to capture Bosniaks from two villages in Jajce municipality and kill them.

They took women, children and men from the village towards Draganovac place. On their way, they “threatened them with guns, insulted and physically maltreated them”.

Upon their arrival in Draganovac, they took away the Bosniaks’ belongings. After that, they took the civilians to Tisovac, told them to stand by a cliff, and shot them. All members of the Balesic, Bajramovic, Mutic and Zobic families were killed, but some civilians survived the shooting.

Following the plea hearing, the case of Mirko Pekez et al will be referred to the Trial Chamber for processing.