The Worst Criminal in Batkovic

Nedim Mustacevic, former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, said that he was wounded on the frontline near Tuzla on June 19, 1992 and that he was then captured by members of the Republika Srpska Army, VRS, who took him to Batkovic detention camp.

As he said, upon his arrival, he was taken to a hangar with about 200 or 300 people. The number increased to 2,000 in the two following months.

“I remember Gligor Begovic. He stood out by his inhumane treatment and crimes. He was violent and the worst criminal. I cannot even call him a man, but an object … He subjected me to things I would not wish to my biggest enemy,” Mustacevic said, recognising the indictee in the courtroom.

According to the witness’ testimony, Begovic used to beat him every day, using rifles, batons, legs and hands. He hit him on all parts of his body and stepped on his injured leg.

“The most dramatic beating happened about seven or ten days after my arrival in the detention camp. The beating took place outside the camp. He did not need a cause. He was accompanied by Zoran Zaric. They called me ‘the green beret’. They thought that I was their enemy. They beat me outside… I felt horrible pain in my back. Three or four of my neck vertebra were damaged,” Mustacevic said.

Some parts of Mustacevic’s testimony, during which he described his sexual abuse, were closed to public at a request by the Defence due to the protection of indictee Begovic’s intimate and family life.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH, charges Gligor Begovic with having participated in crimes against civilians and prisoners, who were held in inhumane conditions in Batkovic. Detainees were subjected to an atmosphere of terror, created by the commission of murders and abuse, inhumane conditions, deprivation of food, water, medical care and appropriate sleeping conditions, the indictment alleges.

According to the charges, Begovic personally beat detainees up and forced two people to have sexual relations in the summer of 1992.

Mustacevic said that he saw Begovic and guard Zoric beating a 70-year old man nicknamed Zulfo, because he had a letter-U tattoo.

“They beat him several times on that day … they hit him on his head, back, stomach, all parts of his body, using rifles, hands and legs. They did not care where they would hit him. The last beating took place in the early evening. He died during the night,” the witness recalled.

He said that he saw Begovic and other guards beating three men from Bijeljina following their arrival in the detention camp, adding that two of them died after that, and him beating a minor from Kalesija.

Describing the conditions in Batkovic, the witness said that they were horrible. “All of us got lice … We did not bathe. We slept on the floor. They gave us a barrel to use instead of a toilet during the night,” he said.

During the cross-examination Begovic’s Defence attorney asked the witness how he knew the indictee’s name. Mustacevic responded by saying that other detainees told him his name.

The trial is due to continue on January 21.