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Vahida Kmetas told the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that her neighbours living in Druzinovici village, Prozor municipality, told her the names of the two soldiers.
“Suljo Kmetas came to get Avdo Sabic. He said that, unless came with him to his house the soldiers would kill the village residents who had already gathered there. He said that my mother was among those residents. After that, my family went to that house,” Kmetas said, adding she had been hiding, together with other neighbours, in a nearby forest.
In February this year Kmetas testified for the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying that Darko Dolic mistreated her and her neighbours.
The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina has charged Darko Dolic, as a member of the “Jastrebovi” (“Hawks”) Reconnaissance Squad with the “Rama” Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, with having participated in abuse, intentional causing of physical and mental suffering and stealing from civilians in the Prozor area in August 1993.
“Upon our arrival at the house, I saw Zlatif and Omer Kmetas, whose hands had been tied. Other residents were lined up. The two soldiers, whom we met there, asked those people to give them money. They cut Zlatif with a knife. His face was covered with blood. A shorter soldier took my necklace and ring. (…) I did not look at those soldiers very much. We were afraid, children were crying… Believe me, I am still afraid when I talk about it,” the witness said.
As stated by the witness, when the soldiers left, the Druzinovici village residents ran into the woods, where Omer Kmetas told her the names of the soldiers.
The Defence wanted to examine Rahima Zahirovic at this hearing, but she failed to appear in the courtroom. The Witness Support Section of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina said she was not able to come to the Court as she was “not feeling well psychologically”.
Zlatko Milovic, Defence attorney for the indictee, said he believed the witness was feeling well, but did not want to appear in court. The Trial Chamber will request medical documents about the witness’ state of health.
The trial is due to continue on September 30.
E.M.
