Memic et al: Expert Witness Speaks about Alispago’s Responsibility

Nehru Ganic, expert witness in military issues, said that, after having reviewed the documents presented to him, he determined that Alispago was not present in Trusina on April 16, 1993, but he must have collected data and inform his superiors accordingly.

“A commander can transfer his rights to another person, but he cannot transfer his responsibility. He was obliged to gather data and inform his superiors,” the expert witness said.

Alispago is charged, in his capacity as Commander of the Zulfikar Squad, with having failed to “undertake the necessary and reasonable measures to punish the crime perpetrators”.

According to the charges, Nihad Bojadzic, former Deputy Commander of that Squad, ordered his subordinates to attack Trusina, telling them that there must be no survivors in the village. He allegedly commanded the military operation from a nearby hill.

Analysing the documents, expert witness Ganic was not able to determine who ordered members of the Zulfikar Squad to go to Trusina, but he determined that they were “the protagonists of activities”.

Eighteen civilians and four members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO were killed during the attack on Trusina.

Alispago and Bojadzic are on trial, along with Mensur Memic, Dzevad Salcin and Nedzad Hodzic, former members of the Zulfikar Squad, and Senad Hakalovic, former soldier with the Neretvica Brigade.

The expert witness determined that, although Alispago was “authorised” to act as the Deputy Commander of the Igman Operational Group of ABiH on April 18, 1993, his principal function was to act as Commander of the Squad.

Ganic said that he “has not found any documents”, suggesting that members of the Zulfikar Squad were subordinate to the Neretvica Brigade Command during the attack on Trusina. He mentioned that, as per an order issued on April 12, 1993, the Squad was subordinate to the First Corps of ABiH, adding that, prior to the mentioned date it had been part of the Main Command Headquarters of ABiH.

“There was a dilemma about whether the order was carried out or not, but I have come across some data indicating that reports were submitted to the First Corps,” the expert witness said.

The indictment alleges that “Zulfikar” Squad was part of the Main Command Headquarters of ABiH.

The examination of the expert witness is due to continue on Monday, November 12.
A.J.