Frimel Had Shoulder Injury During Time of Alleged Crimes, Says Wartime Surgeon

A defense witness testifying at the Mario Frimel trial said the defendant had a shoulder injury in the summer of 1992, and as a result couldn’t have beaten people or forced them to perform physical labour.

The cantonal prosecution of Sarajevo has charged Frimel, the former commander of the Ivan Krndelj Squad of the Bosnian Army, with the unlawful arrest and physical and mental abuse of Serbs in the Hrasno neighbourhood in Sarajevo at the beginning of October 1992.

Adnan Dizdar, who worked as a surgeon during the war, testified at today’s hearing. Dizdar said he changed the bandages on Frimel’s shoulder injury during the summer of 1992.

“All shoulder injuries take a long time to heal. They prevent people from doing any physical labour. Injuries caused by the penetration of bullets need a couple of months to heal,” Dizdar explained. He said Frimel was injured during the first year of the war.

According to Dizdar, he changed the bandages in Frimel’s office in the Ina building at a square in Sarajevo.

“My wartime memories are very ugly, because they’re filled with blood. I’m trying to forget those injuries…I’m doing so deliberately, so I can’t confirm every date to you,” Dizdar said.

When asked by the defense whether a person with a shoulder injury would be able to beat someone, Dizdar said they wouldn’t be able to.

During cross-examination, the prosecution asked Dizdar if he could have still been changing Frimel’s bandages in October 1992. Dizdar said it was possible, because the entire process lasted a few months.

The trial will continue on September 29.