Witnesses Claim No Knowledge of Prisoner Abuse in Bileca

Two state prosecution witnesses testifying at the trial of Miroslav Duka, Goran Vujovic and Zeljko Ilic said they didn’t notice injuries on Bosniak detainees held in Bileca.

Vujovic and Duka have been charged with enabling and organizing the detention of Bosniak and Croat civilians in the public safety station and student dormitory in Bileca, where detainees were murdered, tortured and abused. Ilic has been charged with participating in their physical and mental abuse.

Duka is the former commander of police in Bileca, Vujovic is former chief of the public safety station in Bileca, and Zeljko Ilic is a former police officer.

Milorad Sudzum, a former member of reserve police forces, testified at today’s hearing. Sudzum said he guarded an old prison in the vicinity of the police station and student dormitory in Bileca where Bosniaks were held in detention.

“I’m not hiding it. I guarded the place. We guarded them from us, but also guarded ourselves from them…At first I guarded a building next to the police station and student dormitory. The town was full of refugees, so those people were protected in some way,” Sudzum said.

Sudzum said he didn’t notice that the detainees had been abused. He said no one but police officers went on the premises where the detainees were held.

Radivoje Savic, the second prosecution witness, said he guarded the old prison as a reserve police officer after July 16, 1992. He said he’d been a member of a military police unit in Mostar prior to becoming a guard.

“When I arrived at the old prison, Bosniak detainees were already there,” Savic said. He said he never entered the old prison building.

When asked who was allowed to enter the building, Savic said that a duty policeman had the keys. He said members of the International Red Cross used to enter the premises and that detainees left the buildings on two occasions.

“I know they left Bileca by bus. I heard later on that they had gone to Montenegro,” Savic said.

Savic also said he didn’t notice any injuries on the detainees.

During cross-examination Savic said he didn’t receive orders from Vujovic and Duka.

The trial will continue on June 16.