Dronjak: Murder of Brother

Testifying in front of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Enver Begic stated that he found out from the Kamenica camp prisoners how the warden of the camp took his brother Fikret out from the premises to the nearby house after which they heard gunshots.

Begic added that the prisoners told him that his brother, who was a member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ABiH) unit “Sargan” was wounded at that time.

“They mentioned to me that the warden was looking for my brother – by the name of Sargan. Two prisoners carried my brother and they heard shoots after that,” stated Begic and added that his brother’s body was exchanged in April 1995 with wounds to his head.

The State Prosecution holds responsible Ratko Dronjak, former commander or warden of Kamenica camp and prison formed in the “Slavko Rodic” elementary school in Drvar, for organising the unlawful detention of Bosniak and Croat civilians and prisoners of war from 1992 up to 1995.

In accordance with the indictment, in these buildings, civilians and prisoners of the war were subjected to torture, beatings, murders, inhumane treatment and forced labour.

The Prosecution’s second witness, Mira Niksic in this hearing stated that her brother Marijan, former member of the Croat Defence Council (HVO), died in the Kamenica camp near Drvar as a result of the beatings.

“Prisoners who survived told me that Marijan was beaten and trashed. They told me how he was telling other prisoners: ‘If they take me out once more I will not survive’”, stated Niksic.

She added that her brother’s body was exchanged on 11 April 1995 and she did the recognition of the body.

“The body was in a state of decay. He was bloated, and the skin was discoloured,” remembered Niksic.

In this hearing, Josip Dujmovic gave his statement in favour the Prosecution stating that his uncle Drago who was military engaged and was imprisoned in Kamenica camp, became ill and died there.

“They told me how he was screaming and crying for help for two days but he did not receive medical attention so he died”, stated Dujmovic and added that his uncle’s body was exchanged in 1995.  

The continuation of the trial is set for 8 September 2011.

A.S.