No Information about Brdo Village

Kornjaca, who began testifying on February 27 this year, said that he did not know that local residents of Brdo village were told to hand over their weapons in May 1992, adding that he first heard about their arrests while hearing testimonies by State Prosecution witnesses at this trial.

“Brdo village is three kilometres away from Cajnice. I spent 15 days in that village on two occasions – in 1971 and 1972. At that time I did not know who its inhabitants were,” Kornjaca said.

He said that he did not know that local residents of Brdo village were brought in front of a hotel in Cajnice and detained in a metal container at Mostina.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Kornjaca, former Commander of “Plavi orlovi” (“Blue Eagles”) paramilitary unit, with having participated, from mid-April to the end of May 1992, in the arrest and detention of the Bosniak civilian population, who were subjected to torture and other inhumane acts.

The indictment alleges that some of the prisoners were held in a metal container at Mostina.

It further alleges that, on May 19, 1992 or approximately on that date Kornjaca participated in the murder of 28 civilians, who were held in the hunters’ house, by shooting from an automatic gun and throwing hand bombs. This allegedly happened after a member of “Plavi orlovi” paramilitary unit had been killed.

Although it was originally announced that Kornjaca would testify at one more hearing, his Defence attorney Milana Borovcanin-Bulic said that he did not want to do it considering his bad health condition.

“As it has been very difficult for my client to come here, I shall now complete the examination,” said Borovcanin-Bulic.

The trial of Kornjaca is due to continue on April 17, when the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina will cross-examine Kornjaca.