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Witness Z was in her house in Sijekovac at the time, but she did not personally see the murders. She said that her family and neighbours told her what had happened.
“I heard that the Interventions Squad crossed the River Sava. They killed members of the Zecevic, Milosevic, Bacic and Kuljo families. Nijaz Causevic, also known as Medo, was Chief of the Interventions Squad,” said Z, who testified in area separated from the main courtroom.
The witness was not able to remember the names of members of the unit, but after Prosecutor Dika Omerovic reminded her of the statement she gave police in 2006, she confirmed having heard that Zemir Kovacevic was a member of the squad.
The indictment charges Kovacevic with having participated in an attack against and murder of Serb civilians in Sijekovac in March 1992. Kovacevic is charged as a former member of the Interventions Squad with the First Bosanski Brod Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO. Sijekovac is located near Bosanski Brod.
In addition, Kovacevic is charged with having participated in unlawful detention, forcing people to perform hard labour, as well as the pillaging and destruction of property owned by Serb civilians.
The witness said that her husband was taken with other neighbours to dig trenches and that he told her that they were beaten and mistreated at those locations.
She confirmed that houses owned by Serb families were set on fire and mined during the attack.
She said the only thing she heard about the indictee was that he was a member of the Interventions Squad.
Witness Y was also examined, but the protection measures granted to her included a ban on publishing her testimony.
The trial is due to continue on May 15.
