Defence Witnesses Deny Poljakovic’s Testimony

Testifying for the Tuzla Cantonal Prosecution on that day, Poljakovic said that, after having been captured by members of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, he was hit on his head with a rifle butt and that he then fainted. “I captured two VRS soldiers and escorted them towards our command. After having walked for a couple hundred metres, I felt a strong hit on my head with a rifle butt. As I was falling down, I saw Slavko Stankovic, who had hit me. I lost consciousness. The next thing I remember was the detention camp in Smoluca. My skull is still damaged due to the hit,” Poljakovic said. Defence witness Slavko Stankovic tried to deny Poljakovic’s allegations, pointing out that no violence was used during his capture. “I was cleaning a trench when I spotted Poljakovic. I ordered him to surrender. After that he went on foot. He was conscious. He was neither hit nor tied,” Stankovic said. The Tuzla Cantonal Prosecution charges Milorad Cvijanovic, known as Micko, Milorad Cvijanovic (son of Milan), Svetomir Ilic and Vaso Ilic with crimes against prisoners in Lukavac municipality in June and July 1992. Following Stankovic, witnesses Miodrag Vukovic, Stojan Milanovic, Lazar Simeunovic and Nemanja Stankovic gave similar statements, denying Poljakovic’s allegations. “I stick to my previous statement that Nadil Poljakovic was conscious and that he came to the detention unit on foot. When he was captured, he had a scratch on his face,” Lazar Stankovic said.The trial is due to continue on August 5.