Witness in Prijedor Case Links Defendants to Father’s Arrest

Witness Nijaz Mahmuljin said he recognized Rade and Mitar Vlasenko in the court room. They along with Drago Koncar, all former members of the Bosnian Serb army, have been charged with participating in the expulsion, murder and enforced disappearance of Bosniak civilians from Prijedor in 1992.

Mahmuljin said that in May 1992 he was in his home in Kozarusa near Prijedor when he heard a shot. He said that he saw shots from the houses of Mitar and Rade Vlasenko and a artillery fire from Patria.

After the shooting, Mahmuljin said he fled with the rest of the family while his father stayed behind. His brother disappeared, and his father was was later taken to Trnopolje camp.

After leaving Prijedor, Mahmuljin said that he was reunited with his father in Zenica, when he told him that he recognized Mitar and Rade Vlasenko from the time of his arrest. His father said that he thought the two defendants were in charge, according to Mahmuljin.

The defence objected to the testimony, saying Mahmuljin was supposed to testify about bodies. But the judges permitted questions about other events.

Asked by the prosecution how his father ended up in Trnopolje, Mahmuljin replied that it happened after his arrest by Dragan Koncar and his personal army.

The witness also said that Omer Besic asked for money to tell him where his brother’s body was located. Mahmuljin said Besic told him the location of the body was given to him by Mitar and Rade Vlasenko.

The trial continues on May 19.