Witness Soko Taken away without Problems

Testifying at the trial of Edin Dzeko, a Defence witness says that his wife told him that two uniformed persons took Miroslav Soko from his house in Jablanica and that “no problems” occurred on that occasion.

Witness Nezir Vila said that he lived with his wife and four children at Soko’s place after having come from Prozor in April 1993.

Vila said that he was not at home when Soko was taken away. When he came back, his wife told him that two uniformed persons had come and asked Soko to come with them.

“My wife told me that there were no problems,” the witness said.

Testifying in this case, Miroslav Soko said that Edin Dzeko and men called Nedzad and Faruk came to his house door on September 8, 1993.

“As soon as I opened the door, they began insulting me. Dzeko shouted at me and cursed my mother. He then hit me on my face with his fist twice. Those were rather strong hits…” Soko said at a hearing held in April this year.

Dzeko, former member of “Zulfikar” Unit with the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is charged with having participated in the unlawful arrest of nine civilians in Jablanica. According to the charges, he and his comrade hit one of the civilians on their heads and bodies with fists.

Witness Vila testified via video-link from the United States.

The trial of Dzeko, who is also charged with other crimes committed in Jablanica and crimes in Trusina village, near Konjic, is due to continue on October 22.