Stanisic Didnt Issue Order to Execute Srebrenica Captives, Witness Says
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Stanisic and Marko Milosevic are on trial for the execution of approximately 1000 captives from Srebrenica on a dam near Petkovci in mid-July 1995. The captives were allegedly detained in a new school building in Petkovci prior to being taken to the nearby dam.
The indictment alleges that at the time Stanisic was the commander of the Sixth Battalion of the Zvornicka Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army in Petkovci, while Milosevic was his deputy.
Defense witness Mirko Deuric served as one of Stanisics subordinates and testified at this hearing. Deuric said he hadnt heard that members of his unit, which was commanded by Stanisic, guarded captives in Petkovci or participated in the mass killing on the dam.
Deuric said that following the fall of Srebrenica, they were issued an order to remain in their combat positions. He said this lasted for 10 to 15 days. Deuric said he used to Stanisic at those combat positions and at a forward command point.
The second witness for the defense, Ljubica Nikolic, said she was a cook with the Sixth Battalion. She said Stanisic spent more time on the front lines in mid-July 1995.
Nikolic said she didnt see captives held in the basement of the Battalion Command, which was housed in an old school building at the time. She said she wasnt allowed to approach the basement, because it was used for storing weapons. Nikolic said she didnt see any captives in Petkovci at all.
The trial will continue on May 20.
