Witness Describes Paramilitary Formations in Visegrad at Kovacevic Trial

A defense witness testifying at the trial of Petar Kovacevic said he wasn’t aware that Kovacevic went to villages in the Visegrad area with paramilitary units.

The Bosnian state prosecution has charged Petar Kovacevic, a former member of the Bosnian Serb Army, with participating in the murder, rape and unlawful arrest of civilians in Visegrad in late May 1992.

Witness Bogoljub Zaric said he had heard that the Kovacevic’s brother had joined paramilitary units and travelled with them.

When asked by the defense whether he saw Kovacevic wearing a fur hat and cockade, Zaric said he hadn’t and that wearing that sort of clothing was prohibited.

Zaric said rumours circulated which described the burning and pillaging of houses and the mistreatment of members of all ethnic communities. Zaric said voluntary units existed and operated alongside local paramilitary formations.

He said he heard Mujo Gacko was found dead next to his house.

The prosecution asked Zaric whether he’d heard about the murder of Bosniak Muslims in the Visegrad area. Zaric said he heard about it after the war.

In response to evidence presented by the defense, the prosecution invited two witnesses to testify.

Esma Nezir said she saw Medo Mutapcic being beaten in Dobruni on June 16, 1992.

“Medo [Mutapcic] was screaming, lying in the mud. They beat him up brutally. I saw Mr. Petar [Kovacevic] there,” Nezir said. She said his brother Budimir was present as well. She said Budimir told the defendant to drive a car towards Mutapcic.

A protected prosecution witness also took the stand and testified without the presence of the public.

The trial will continue on May 18.