Local Justice – Tuzla: A Cross Carved to the Chest

The statement, which late witness Avdo Hodzic previously gave to the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, covers the period from July 6 to 29, 1992, when he was captured, as a former member of Tunja Territorial Defence, in the Smoluca area in Lukavac municipality.

Hodzic told SIPA on April 8, 2009 that Svetomir Ilic carved a cross on his chest and forced him to bang his head against a garage wall. In his statement Hodzic said that Milorad (son of Milan) Cvijanovic strongly hit him with a baton, breaking his elbow, while threatening him by saying: “You must go through my hands and have your bowels put on the table”, Hodzic said, conveying Cvijanovic’s words. Milorad Cvijanovic, known as Micko, Svetomir Ilic, known as Sveto, Milorad Cvijanovic, son of Milan, and Vaso Ilic, former members of the Territorial Defence of the former Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, are charged with having abused prisoners of war Avdo Hodzic, Nadil Poljakovic, Hazim Zukic and Edin Malkic in Smoluca village, Lukavac municipality in the period from June 25, 1992 to July 29. The trial is due to continue on March 6.

A.H.