Detainees Used as Human Shields
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Meho Osmanovic and Fuad Bajraktarevic were detained in the “Planjina Kuca” detention camp in Semizovac. Both of them were taken to other locations, where they dug trenches and cut wood. While at those locations, they were given the same food as soldiers. They recalled having been used as human shields on Zuc Hill on September 18, 1992.
“About 20 or 30 of us, who were selected by Vlaco, were taken to Zuc by minivan. We were put in a hole in the ground, where we waited. I was in the first group of ten people, who were taken out,” Meho Osmanovic said, adding that a soldier from Serbia used him as his shield.
Witness Fuad Bajraktarevic said that he was wounded on his right shoulder that day, adding that he received medical assistance.
He said that, as they were getting ready to leave in the morning, Vlaco told them that, in case there were fathers and sons among them, they should decide which ones of them would go to Zuc.
The witnesses confirmed that some of the detainees were wounded or killed on Zuc that day.
Witness Osmanovic said that he found out that Branislav Vlaco was Manager of the “Planjina Kuca” prison, adding that he introduced himself to him and said that he was in charge of ethnic issues.
Branko Vlaco is charged with crimes committed in “Planjina Kuca”, “Bunker”, “Kod Sonje” and “Nakina Garaza” buildings. He is charged, in his capacity as Manager, with having established a system for punishment of detained civilians. According to the charges, some detainees were abused, forced to perform hard labour and used as human shields. Many of them were killed at those locations, while tens are still missing.
Third State Prosecution witness Mile Renovica, who formed the National Security Service Section in Vogosca and Ilijas in 1992, said that he spoke to detainee Kasim Brodlija, but he did not know why he was there, because it was not a subject of his interest.
He said that he met Manager Brano Vlaco, but his Section did not have any contacts with the prison.
The trial is due to continue on February 5.
