Witness Upset by Questions about Facebook

On the second day of his testimony about crimes in Trusina village, near Konjic, a protected witness repeats that indictee Zulfikar Alispago was appointed Deputy Commander of the “Igman” Operational Group with the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, one month prior to the attack on the village.

The indictment alleges that Alispago is charged, in his capacity as Commander of the “Zulfikar” Special Squad of ABiH, with having “failed to undertake the necessary and reasonable measures” to punish his subordinates, who committed the crime in Trusina on April 16, 1993.

Protected witness D, former member of “Zulfikar” Squad, was invited to testify by the Defence of four indictees after the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina had given up examining him as its witness.  

Prosecutor Vesna Budimir mentioned that, in his previous statements given to the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, and Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the witness had never mentioned that Alispago was appointed Commander of the “Igman” Operational Group. However, the witness denied her allegations.

The Prosecutor then said that the witness began using his allegations about the indictee’s appointment as Deputy Commander after having joined a Facebook group, which was created in order to support Alispago. The witness said that it was not true and left the courtroom.

Following a short break, the witness wanted to give an explanation and say whether he was a member of that group, but the Trial Chamber decided that he did not have to do it, because it considered the questions irrelevant.

Protected witness D began testifying on May 6, when he said that he did not see indictee Bojadzic prior to, during or after the attack on Trusina.

According to the charges, Bojadzic, former Deputy Commander of the “Zulfikar” Squad, ordered his soldiers to attack Trusina and allegedly ordered them not to leave any survivors in the village. It is further alleged that he commanded the attack from a nearby hill using a communication tool.

The Prosecutor asked the witness whether Bojadzic helped him build his house and receive medical treatment for diabetes, but the witness answered negatively.

Alispago and Bojadzic are on trial, along with Mensur Memic, Dzevad Salcin and Nedzad Hodzic, former members of the “Zulfikar” Squad, and Senad Hakalovic, former member of the “Neretvica” Brigade, for the murder of 18 civilians and four members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO.

The trial is due to continue on May 27.