Detainees Taken out as per an Order

Testifying at the trial for crimes in the Hadzici area, a State Prosecution witness says that detainees were taken from “Silos” to other locations, where they performed works, as per orders by the Brigade Command.

Avdo Mujan, former member of military police of the Territorial Defence in Hadzici, said that he came to “Silos” several times during the war. He said that, while he was member of military police, the facility was under the responsibility of the Army. 

“I entered ‘Silos’, when the Security Chief visited the Manager. In most cases they discussed the labour that had to be performed. All orders related to taking detainees out were issued by the Brigade Command. We, the policemen, acted on orders,” Mujan said.

He told the Court that military policemen used to protect detainees, while they performed labour. The witness said that detainees once performed some works at Gradac locality, when a grenade fell, killing one policeman and wounding a few detainees.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Mustafa Djelilovic, Fadil Covic, Mirsad Sabic, Nezir Kazic, Becir Hujic, Halid Covic, Serif Mesanovic and Nermin Kalember with crimes committed in “Silos”, “Krupa” military barracks and the “9. maj” school building. 

The indictment alleges that Hujic was Manager and Deputy Manager of “Silos” detention camp, just like Halid Covic. Kalember was a guard in “Silos”, Kazic was Commander of the 9th Mountain Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the other indictees were members of civil, military and police authorities.

Witness Mujan said that the Serb population began arming itself in 1992.

Mujo Smajevic, former military policeman, who testified as the second witness at this hearing, said that the Territorial Defence established military police in late April or early May 1992. He said that Serbs, who possessed illegal army weapons, were detained in “Silos” building.

“In 1993 or 1994 they underwent trials for that,” Smajevic said, adding that he considered that “Silos” was under the responsibility of civilian authorities.

Third witness Omer Mujan said that he entered “Silos” in late 1995, because the 9th Mountain Brigade handed the building over to the 14th Division.

“I entered the building in my capacity as president of the commission of the 9th Mountain Brigade. We counted the people in the building. I think that there were between 100 and 150 of them,” said Omer Mujan.

He said that “Silos” was under the responsibility of the Army, but he did not know since when.

The Trial Chamber warned Prosecutor Zorica Djurdjevic several times for posing suggestive questions to the witnesses.

The trial is due to continue on November 21.