Macic: Prisoner Killed in Self-defence

“Eso Macic, known as Makaron, killed Radomir Kuljanin in self defence. Radomir Kuljanin was buried under that name, but, later on it turned out that his name was Milorad Kuljanin,” said Hazim Delic, whom The Hague Tribunal sentenced to 18 years for crimes committed in Celebici detention camp.

Delic, who, as determined by The Hague Tribunal’s Chamber, was Deputy and then Manager of Celebici detention camp, said at this hearing that he was “just a military policeman”.

The State Prosecution charges Macic, former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, with crimes against Serb prisoners of war and civilians committed in Celebici detention camp and Musala sports hall, near Konjic. The indictment alleges that, in 1992 Macic participated in the murder of two Serb civilians in Celebici detention camp and causing of severe bodily injuries to civilians and prisoners of war, who were held in Musala.

Testifying before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Delic said that he was charged with the murder of Kuljanin, on the basis of his command responsibility, but The Hague Tribunal determined that “this was not an intentional murder”.

Delic said that he was not present when Kuljanin was killed, adding that indictee Macic wrote a statement about what happened between him and Kuljanin.

Responding to questions made by Kadrija Kolic, Defence attorney of Macic, the witness said that Eso Macic did not participate in the murder of Scepo Gotovac and that he did not mistreat prisoners of war in the detention camp. “Esad Landzo admitted at The Hague of having killed Scepo Gotovac,” he said.

The Hague Tribunal sentenced Esad Landzo, former guard in the Celebici detention camp, to 15 years in prison for crimes against prisoners.

Second Defence witness Sead Mustafic, former Commander of Guards in Celebici detention camp, said that Eso Macic did not stay in Celebici for long after the murder of Kuljanin.

“I was not present, when the incident happened. I was not present at the crime scene. The murder happened. Kuljanin was killed. After that event Eso did not stay in Celebici for long,” Mustafic said.

The trial is due to continue on March 15 this year.A.S.