Bruises Caused by Beating in Gabela

According to his findings, the witness has mild dementia and has mental problems. Also, he said that there was a risk that he might suffer another stroke. 

The Trial Chamber accepted a written statement by this witness as Prosecution’s evidence, while the Defence attorney of the indictee proposed another expert examination.    

Witness Salko Boskailo, former member of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, who was detained in Gabela detention camp, worked as a car mechanic and repaired HVO vehicles in the Capljina military barracks.

“Luka Peric used to drive us to Capljina. I cannot say anything bad about Peric. I saw that he helped people in Capljina. He was with us sometimes. He behaved nicely. He brought us food,” Boskailo said. 

Boskailo said that he knew Kovacic, known as Sudo, adding that he “was not able to move for fifteen days” and that his whole body was covered with blood and bruises. 

Ramiz Hasic, former policeman in Capljina, said that he was beaten up by four HVO soldiers in Gabela detention camp in 1993. As he said, he used to see Ekrem Pekaz and the older Peco. Also, he said that he knew Huso Maric.

“Peco, whose name I do not know, had bruises on his head. His head was almost black. He had an irregular cross on his forehead. He said that he got the cross when jumping headfirst from a platform on concrete floor. I saw Huso Maric, who looked horrible. He was swollen. I recognised him by his eyes,” Hasic said. 

Zlatan Zaklan, former HVO member, who was detained in Gabela, said that his cousin Sefik Kovacic and Esad Peco “were covered with blue and black bruises due to the beating”. 

Trial Chamber Chairman Hamo Kebo told the Defence attorney that he had 24 hours to submit a list of Defence witnesses. 

The Defence announced that the indictee would testify at the next hearing scheduled for October 11.