Kostana Hospital Outside the Zone of Responsibility

During the continuation of the trial for crimes in Stolac and Capljina, a Defence witness says that Kostana Hospital, where men were held in detention, was not in the zone of responsibility of the unit commanded by indictee Veselko Raguz, i.e. the Fourth Battalion with “Knez Domagoj” Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO.

Witness Vidoje Proleta said that members of that Brigade could not have been present in Kostana Hospital in July 1993, because an order about the complete combat readiness on all positions facing Serb-held lines was issued at that time.
 
When asked by Trial Chamber Chairwoman Minka Kreho who was present in Kostana Hospital, the witness said that military police members were situated in it. He said that military police was a part of the “Knez Domagoj” First Brigade, but it acted as an independent unit.
 
Veselko Raguz, former Commander of the Fourth Battalion with “Knez Domagoj” Brigade of HVO, and Ivo Raguz, former member of that Brigade, are charged with having participated in crimes against civilians in Stolac and Capljina in July and August 1993.
 
The indictment alleges that Veselko Raguz ordered, assisted or participated in the unlawful arrest and detention of civilians, as well as the resettlement of Bosniak women and children, while Ivo Raguz is charged with having participated in physical abuse of detained civilians.
 
Witness Ilija Boskovic said that he was a member of the Fifth Battalion of “Knez Domagoj” First Brigade and that, when he came home on leave, his neighbour Ibro Selimic informed him that he “wanted to surrender”.
 
“I went to the nearest check-point, which was controlled by military police, and informed them about it, so they went to pick him up,” Boskovic said.
 
When asked by Prosecutor Remzija Smailagic whether his neighbour was taken to Kostana Hospital and then to Dretelj detention camp, Boskovic said that he did not know where they took him.
 
Witness Dragan Palameta, who was a driver with the Fourth Battalion of “Knez Domagoj” Brigade in 1993, said that Osanici and Komanja brdo were within the zone of responsibility of the Fourth Battalion, which was commanded by Veselko Raguz, adding that the Battalion did not operate outside the zone.
 
“I was supposed to report to our base in Stolac after having been on leave. I met Veselko there. He ordered us to go to Osanici in order to reconnoiter the area. We spent the whole night at that location,” Palameta said, speaking about a meeting on July 13, 1993.

The trial is due to continue on June 26.