Dronjak: Murder of Only Son

Testifying at the trial for crimes in Drvar, a State Prosecution says that he is angry at indictee Ratko Dronjak, because he “personally” killed his only son.

When asked by the Trial Chamber Chairwoman if he was in conflict with the indictee, witness Redzep Muminovic said that he was “angry” at Ratko Dronjak, because he held him responsible for the murder of his son Remzo Muminovic, who was captured in December 1994 and taken to Kamenica.

Following a few introductory questions posed by State Prosecutor Dzemila Begovic, the witness mentioned his son’s name and started crying. The Prosecution then gave up on his examination, “considering the witness’ present state”.

The Defence of Ratko Dronjak proposed to the Trial Chamber to ignore Muminovic’s testimony due to his current condition.
 
The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Ratko Dronjak, former Commander and Manager of Kamenica detention camp and the “Slavko Rodic” school building prison in Drvar, with having organised the unlawful detention of Bosniak and Croat civilians and prisoners of war from 1992 to 1995.

The indictment alleges that the civilians and prisoners of war, who were held in those building, were subjected to torture, beating, murder and inhumane treatment, while also being forced to perform hard labour.

Second Prosecution witness Husnija Mehunic was captured in November 1994 and taken to Kamenica detention camp. He said that prisoners, who were held in the detention camp, were taken out in order to be beaten every day.

“Both the prison Manager and ‘their’ police used to take us out and beat us every day. They beat us with wooden sticks on our heads and spines. They broke three of my ribs. I was held in detention for 130 days,” Mehunic said.

According to what Mehunic said, detention camp Manager Ratko Dronjak once forced him to clean his vehicle in front of the prison and then beat him up.

“I saw him when I was going out to clean his car. He was dressed in police uniform. I did not dare look at him. I was ‘beaten up’ for looking at him. He told me I had not clean his car well,” Mehunic said.

Responding to a question made by the Defence of Dronjak, Mehunic said that he was ready to testify about “everything” just to see the indictee sentenced. “I want him to be punished, because he tortured and beat us in the prison,” Mehunic said.

Third Prosecution witness Mirsad Toromanovic said that his brother’s body, which had dark bruises on the chest and arms, was exchanged in March 1995. He said that his brother died during the course of his detention in Kamenica.

“His body was in a bag. I determined that it was my brother. What struck me most was a big black bruise on his chest. A colleague of his, who was held in the prison with him, told me that my brother was wounded, but they took him out and hit him with rifle butts, kicked him with military boots on and stepped on him,” Toromanovic said.
 
The trial is due to continue on September 1 this year.