Karajic Admits Murder

Testifying before the State Court, Suljo Karajic, a former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who is charged with crimes against civilians and prisoners of war, described how he killed Amir Karajic, known as Kolac, a former member of the National Defence of the Western Bosnia Autonomous Region, ND WBAR, in Buzim in August 1994.

The indictment alleges that, on August 4, 1994 Karajic “shot several bullets in the chest” of Amir Karajic, known as Kolac, and killed him. This allegedly happened in front of the “Rodoc” motel in Buzim, in which members of the ND WBAR were detained.

Karajic told the Court that he was severely wounded in the head in October 1993, adding that, following his return to the frontline, Kolac provoked him, describing, over a walkie talkie, “how he was wounded”, which made him conclude that Kovac had actually wounded him.

“Later on I heard that he was detained in Buzim. I went there to see him. I did not intend to kill him. What I wanted was to enjoy him being humiliated and helpless. When I called him out, he told me: ‘Freak, where are you’…I do not remember anything else. I do not remember how I raised my gun and shot… The next thing I recall is the police commander standing next to me and ordering me to hand over my gun,” the indictee said.

Karajic said he was not “aware of his actions” when he shot Kolac.

“I feel bad, because I am now aware that I did something horrible. I am sorry and I regret having done it. At that time I simply could not have controlled my actions,” Karajic said, adding that he denied having done this, when he testified as a suspect during the course of the investigation, “because I was not ready to take responsibility”.

“Today I am aware of the graveness of this act. I am ready to take responsibility for what I did. I regret having done it,” Karajic said.Although the indictment alleges that he was member of the Military Police Squad with the 505th Buzim Brigade of the Fifth Corps of the Bosnian Army when the crime was committed, Karajic said that he was not member of any military unit until July 4, 1994.

The indictee denied the statements given by some Prosecution witnesses, who said that they were with him when he killed Amir Karajic, claiming that he was alone at the time.

Due to the indictee’s poor health, his examination will continue on February 12.