Raguz et al: Witness Removed from Courtroom

A statement given to the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA in 2011, which was signed by witness Alija Hajdarevic, indicates that detainees, who were held in the school building in Crnici village, Stolac municipality, were loaded onto a truck and transported to Kostana hospital, as per an order by Veselko Raguz.

“I do not know if I said that. I have come to the court to solve the issue. I do not consider those men guilty of anything. I am here for no reason. I drank so much that I have no clue about anything,” the witness said, adding that he was angry because he was invited to testify, so he “drank alcohol this morning” as well.

While explaining his statements energetically, the witness did not listen to instructions, so Trial Chamber Chairwoman Minka Kreho gave an order to remove him from the courtroom for a few minutes so he could calm down.

Hajdarevic confirmed that he was member of the “Knez Domagoj” Brigade with the Croatian Defence Council, HVO until July 1, 1993, adding that Veselko Raguz had “some authority” over the unit. He said that local residents of Aladinici village, Stolac municipality were arrested on July 13.

The witness said that he did not know the soldiers who came to the village and arrested men, women and children, but he only remembered that they were dressed in camouflage uniforms.

Prosecutor Remzija Smailagic presented the witness with his statement given last year, in which he said that three members of the Brigade, with whom he used to go to frontlines, participated in the arrest.

“I did not read the statement, because my eyesight is bad, so it would have taken me long to read it. They wrote some things down. He typed something, although I did not say a word. (…) Somebody wants Ivo, Veso, Alija, whoever, to be imprisoned. I shall not sign any other paper for the rest of my life,” Hajdarevic said.

Veselko Raguz, former Commander of the Fourth Battalion with the “Knez Domagoj” Brigade of HVO, and Ivo Raguz, former member of that Brigade, are charged with having participated in crimes against detained civilians in Stolac and Capljina in July and August 1993.

According to the charges, Veselko Raguz ordered, assisted or directly participated in the unlawful arrests and detention of civilians and the resettlement of Bosniak women and children. In addition, Veselko and Ivo Raguz are charged with having participated in the physical abuse of detained civilians.

Hajdarevic said that he was taken from the school building to Kostana hospital and then to Dretelj detention camp, Capljina municipality. He said was eventually taken to the Heliodrom detention camp, Mostar municipality, where he stayed until mid-April 1994.

He pointed out that he did not see the indictees at any of those locations, adding that he and “Veselko Raguz solved the situation seven years ago”.

Branko Karadeglic, Defence attorney of Veselko Raguz, presented the witness with a statement given during an investigation in Mostar in 2000, which indicates that the indictee did not do anything to harm him and that he did not know the soldiers, who performed the arrests.

The Prosecutor included the statement given in 2011 in the case file, saying that she thought that somebody had influenced the witness. The Defence teams objected, explaining that witnesses’ words were not authentic and that there was no evidence about him being influenced.

The Trial Chamber Chairwoman suggested to the Prosecutor to meet with witnesses prior to the trial, in order to avoid facing “a hostile witness” again.

The trial is due to continue on May 8.
A.J.