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At today’s hearing of the Dzevad Salcin trial, defense witnesses said that Salcin was in the village of Grabovci in Konjic in April and May 1993 – the time period when his alleged crimes took place on Mount Igman in Hadzici.
The state prosecution has charged Salcin, a former Bosnian Army soldier, with abusing a prisoner named Dragan Vukovic in front of the Mraziste Hotel on Mount Igman in May 1993. Salcin allegedly cut off a part of Vukovic’s ear. He’s also been charged with beating prisoners in the kitchen of the Mraziste Hotel during the first half of 1993.
Miralem Vrtic, a former driver with the 45th Mountain Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, testified in Salcin’s defense. He said he drove Salcin, who was also known as Struja at that time, from Parsovici to Grabovci.
“I drove Salcin and ammunition to Grabovci where the army was based, on April 19 or 20, 1993,” Vrtic said.
He said Salcin was living in Himzo Vrtic’s house at the time. He said he saw Salcin in the evening almost everyday, or every other day.
Vrtic said members of commander Zulfikar Alispago’s unit, which included Salcin, went to the village of Memidzani from Grabovci.
Vrtic said they used to visit the village to check up on the wounded and to bring them food. He said he used to see Salcin in Memidzani as well.
Himzo Vrtic confirmed that three soldiers from Zulfikar Alispago’s unit, including Salcin, lived in his house from April 20 to May 10, 1993.
“They would leave at 5:00 in order to conduct reconnaissance and would come back at around 10:00,” Vrtic said. He said they would then play card games or chess and drink in front of his shop.
Himzo Vrtic said that he was at his residence the entire time, and said he used to see Salcin every day.
The trial will continue on April 9.
