Gasal et al: Perpetrators at Large

Presenting their closing statements, the Defence of the two indictees called for a verdict of release.

“On September 21, 1993 Gasal took over as manager. Most of the crimes, 95 percent of the crimes described in the indictment had already happened before. Prosecution witnesses confirmed this,” said Mirza Kovac, Defence attorney of Gasal.

Kovac pointed out that the indictee helped improve the living conditions for prisoners. He said that none of the witnesses said that they had approached Gasal for being mistreated, that he had called any names out or invited anyone to come to his office.

“He did not have effective control, which means that he was not authorised for detaining or releasing people. We know that the wartime Presidency of Bugojno and, later on, the Command of the 307th Brigade with the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina were the main commanding bodies,” Kovac said.

Speaking about the accusations that prisoners, who were held at the stadium, were taken to other locations where they performed forced labour, the Defence said that Gasal could not prevent members of military police, which followed the orders given by the security bodies of the 307th Brigade.

“Almost all witnesses said that the conditions were drastically improved after the new management team had taken over. 70 people were dismissed, a cistern for hygiene was installed, people were allowed to go for a walk. After we had taken over, everybody could take a bath, they received three meals per day, the food was the same for everyone, they could receive visitors and packages from their relatives,” Gasal said, presenting his closing statement before the Trial Chamber.

Fadil Abaz, Defence attorney of Kukavica, said that the Prosecution’s charges were not based on material evidence, but they were general.

“My client did not have an authority to decide who would dig trenches. He was commander of a guard shift, but the Prosecution neglects this fact,” Abaz said.

According to the charges, Kukavica was Commander of detention camp security. Gasal, Kukavica and Senad Dautovic are on trial for crimes against Croats in Bugojno. The indictment alleges that Dautovic was member of the wartime Presidency, Commander of the Joint Command and Chief of the Public Safety Station in Bugojno.

The Defence attorneys and indictees said that those who were responsible for the crimes in Bugojno were still at large and had not been processed.

“I wonder why the years of my life have been stolen from me and why my family is bankrupt…We know who established the stadium detention camp and who took people away. Those men are not here, but I am,” indictee Kukavica said, adding that he did not select the prisoners who performed forced labour.

He said that he did not want to be held responsible for crimes committed by other people. Also, he said he had nothing to do with the disappearances of Croat prisoners.

The Defence of Dautovic is due to present its closing statement on Tuesday, September 27.