Defendant Could Not Control Himself

Amir Jusufovic, former deputy commander of the police station in Lukavac, said that Vejzovic could not control himself and that he overstepped police authority with excessive use of force.

He added that Vejzovic was called to report, but that disciplinary measures were not implemented. Responding to the questions of the defence, the witness said that it was not true there was no reason to punish the defendant.

As a reason for not punishing him, the witness said that during the war “it was a less important issue”, as well as that he did not have time to check up on claims of citizens of Lukavac and Vejzovic’s colleagues.

The defendant, the witness said, came to the police station in Lukavac from the police station in Stupari, in the municipality of Kladanj.

Another witness, Vehid Mesic, said that Vejzovic came to Lukavac in September or October 1992. At the time, the witness was the commander of the police station in Lukavac, he said.

Vejzovic is charged, among other things, with torturing Serb civilian males during interrogation in the old community centre office, primary school and police station in Stupari, between May and August 1992.

Together with Vejzovic, on trial are Safet Mujcinovic, Selman Busnov, Nusret Muhic, Zijad Hamzic, Ramiz Halilovic, Nedzad Hodzic and Osman Gogic, former members of the Territorial Defence and military and civilian authorities.

The trial will resume on October 24.