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Expert witness Senad Kljajic said that combat had intensified in the surrounding villages prior to the attack on Serdari village on September 17, 1992.
An overall attack on the Vrbanjci local community, including Serdari, was conducted. Between 50 and 70 soldiers participated in that attack, Kljajic said.
When asked by Prosecutor Dragan Corlija why he said that those men were soldiers, who defended themselves, and not civilians, the expert witness said that a place, where no resistance is offered, is considered undefended, adding that local sentries existed in Serdari and that arms were distributed to male residents, so an interconnected defence system was in place.
Fikret Planincic, Rasim Lisancic, Sead Menzil and Mirsad Vatrac are charged with having participated in an attack on Serdari village on September 17, 1992, when 16 civilians were killed.
The expert witness said that, in case civilians were present in the village, they should have been evacuated. Otherwise the Kotor-Varos Brigade Commander should be considered responsible for having failed to do it.
During the cross-examination the expert witness said that both soldiers and civilians were present in Serdari village.
When asked by Trial Chamber Chairman Ljubomir Kitic what the aim of the alleged attack was, the witness said that they wanted to get to Oric brdo, where a large amount of weapons was based, and establish a physical connection with Vecici enclave.
The Defence of the fourth indictee is due to begin presenting evidence on April 9.
