Trial of Vojin Lukic Begins

Presenting his introductory statement, Prosecutor Izudin Berberovic announced that the Prosecution would prove indictee Lukic’s guilt for crimes in Doboj through the examination of four witnesses.

Lukic, a former guard at the District Prison in Doboj, is charged with having abused Saban Ibrakovic in the prison premises several times. He allegedly hit him with a thick electric cable and his hands and legs, causing Ibrakovic to faint several times.
 
Witness Reuf Huskic said that he was held in the District Prison from June 12 to 21, 1992 and that he stayed in the same room as Saban Ibrakovic.

“About twenty people were held in that room. When I first saw Saban, who was a policeman, he looked normal. Patrols would sometimes come in and take people out. Sometimes the door would open and people’s names were called out. Saban was once taken out. After that we heard muffled moaning,” Huskic said.

Huskic told the Court that Ibrakovic was then dragged into the room, where the other prisoners were. The prisoners then put him in bed.

“As I am a doctor, I tried to help him. I had a few pain killers in my pocket. It seemed to me that he had rib fractures, but I cannot say that with certainty, because no conditions for examining him existed,” Huskic said, adding that the injured party told them that he had “been beaten by his colleagues”.

Witness Sakib Hurtic, a pre-war member of the reserve police forces, said that he was held in the District Prison from mid-May 1992 to March 1993, adding that he knew indictee Lukic.

“Mr. Lukic opened the door. Saban then left with them. He was dragged into the room like a bag later on. He was beaten up,” Hurtic said.

The witness said that the indictee did not beat him.

“I know who beat me. I shall speak about it when the time comes,” the witness said.

The trial is due to continue on April 29.