Klickovic et al: Professional commander

On the second day of his testimony, Zdravko Marceta, former Chief of Staffs of the 11th Krupa Light Infantry Brigade, in the course of cross-examination spoke about the competencies and responsibilities of the Military Police, adding that Jovan Ostojic was “a good commander”. 

“As a commander, Ostojic was professional and he performed his duty well. I do not think he made any mistakes during the course of his service. He was superior to the Military Police,” Marceta said.

The examination of this witness began on December 2, 2008: http://www.bim.ba/bh/144/10/15249/

Besides Jovan Ostojic, the State Prosecution charges Gojko Klickovic and Mladen Drljaca with a number of crimes committed in 1992. The Prosecution alleges that Ostojic was commander of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade from Krupa for a certain period of time in 1992. 

Marceta said that, from April 21 to September 1, 1992 he was the chief of staffs of this Brigade in Krupa, adding that he knew of the existence of “the Brigade’s prison” in “Petar Kocic” school building in early May that year. 

“Although I never visited the prison, I remember that the Second Corps issued a decision, on June 25, 1992, ordering closure of all brigades’ prisons and opening of a Corps’ prison in Kamenica. As soon as the conditions were met, all detainees were transferred to that prison,” Marceta said.

This witness said that, “in mid July 1992”, Ostojic took over the post of the Brigade’s Commander, adding that he “supposed” that he was informed about the existence of “the Brigade prison”. 

In the course of examination of this witness the Defence of Ostojic focused its attention to his knowledge about Joja Plavanjac’s responsibility for the killing of 11 members of the so-called “Joks” group in the school building in Krupa in early August 1992.  

The Prosecution mentions Joja Plavanjac in the indictment, as an accomplice in certain crimes committed in the Krupa area.

Marceta said that he had known Plavanjac for a long period of time, adding that he never asked him about the crime. 

“I considered that the military police, which guarded the prison at the time, was supposed to report that Plavanjac had committed the crime. I did not file a report against Plavanjac, because I thought that the military police was supposed to do that. However, I do not know who was actually responsible for opening a case against him,” Marceta explained. 

The Trial Chamber prohibited the witness from answering the Defence’s question on whether he wanted to protect him or Plavanjac by failing to report him to the competent organs.  

The next hearing is due to take place on Tuesday, December 9, when the examination of this witness will continue.