Vlahovic: Hit and Robbed before Being Saved
This post is also available in: Bosnian
Witness Dzevdet Delalic, who lived in Grbavica with his wife and seven-year old son, told the Court that Sasa Vukasinovic and three other Serb soldiers helped him leave Grbavica in July 1992.
“Vukasinovic said that somebody would come to pick us up, but we did not know it would be Batko, the witness said, adding that the indictee, who came by a white VW Golf, drove them to an abandoned restaurant instead to the location from which they were supposed to go to the other side.
He first took Dzevdet out, while his wife and son stayed in the car.
“When we entered the restaurant, he cursed my Muslim mother. He started hitting me and asking me for money. Each time he hit me, I took some money out of my pocket. This continued until I gave him all the money I had, the witness said.
After that the indictee took him to the toilet. He then brought his wife and son to the room, where he had beaten him before.
“Batko took all the money and jewelry my wife had in her bag, the witness said, adding that the indictee took about 6,000 German Marks from them on that day.
The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Vlahovic with having killed and participated in the murder of several people in Grbavica, Vraca and Kovacici, Sarajevo in 1992 and participated in the abuse of Bosniak and Croat civilians, taking money and other valuable possessions from them.
A second indictment was filed against Vlahovic, charging him with the murder and disappearances of 14 persons, as well as rape and abuse of civilians. The indictee is held in custody.
Witness Jasmina Delalic said that, after having brought her into the restaurant, Batko slapped her and told her to take her rings off. He cursed her Muslim mother.
“At some stage Batko took my child. He said he would slaughter him unless I gave him all the money I had. I did as he wanted, the witness said, explaining that the indictee then took her and her son to the toilet and took her husband bout, asking for more money.
“I screamed, when I saw that he was beating him. Batko told me: ‘Dont scream. Ill kill you, the witness recalled.
She said that they then heard a vehicle coming, so Batko rushed them into the car and drove them to a bridge, which they crossed and went to the other side, which was under the control of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The trial is due to continue on March 14, 2012.M.B.
