Armed Civilians with Military Targets
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Defence attorney Branko Karadeglic presented reports by the “Knez Domagoj” First Brigade with the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, with which he tried to prove the existence of organised actions by Muslim soldiers, who had left the HVO.
He also presented, as evidence, notifications, orders and commands issued by the Main Headquarters of HVO, which documented the seriousness of the wartime situation in the area between Capljina, Stolac and Dubravska plateau.
A report on events in the 42nd Mountain Brigade issued on May 2, 1993 was also included in the case file. As said by Defence attorney Karadeglic, the existence of a goal to conquer Stolac with the help from Muslim members of HVO could be seen in the reports.
Veselko Raguz, former Commander of the Fourth Battalion with the “Knez Domagoj” Brigade of HVO, is charged with having ordered and participated in the arrest and detention of civilians from Stolac and Capljina during the summer of 1993.
He is on trial together with Ivo Raguz, former member of that same Brigade, who is charged with having participated in the abuse of detainees.
The trial is due to continue on August 28, when three witnesses will testify in defence of first indictee Raguz.
