Busnov Testifies in Own Defense, Describes Wartime Situation in Kladanj

The state prosecution has charged Busnov, a former member of the Territorial Defense, with the unlawful detention of Serb civilians in teachers’ buildings and the old municipal office building in Stupari in May and June 1992. According to the indictment, Busnov also served as the mayor of Stupari from June 1, 1992.
 
Busnov is on trial for Kladanj war crimes along with Safet Mujcinovic, Zijad Hamzic, Nusret Muhic, Ramiz Halilovic, Nedzad Hodzic, Osman Gogic and Kahro Vejzovic. The defendants are all former members of the military and the Territorial Defense.
 
Testifying in his own defense, Busnov said there was increased criminality in Stupari when Serb refugees from the Drina Valley arrived to the area. He said Serb civilians were killed in a village in the Kladanj area, and a 9 year old Serb child was killed in a Bosniak village.

“So we thought this might be retaliation,” Busnov said, adding that there were more killings in the Kladanj area.

Busnov said he officially became the head of the public safety station in Kladanj in October 1992. From May 1992 onwards, he was also the deputy commander of the police station.
 
“I don’t think there was a commander or a mayor at the time. In the first two or three months no one knew who did what,” Busnov said. He said a curfew was introduced at this time.
 
Busnov said the Territorial Defense was formed in May, at which point he was relieved from his position as president of the wartime presidency in Kladanj.
 
Busnov said the war presidency issued a decision to mobilize by the end of May 1992, which forbade citizens from leaving Kladanj. He said the order was issued to the entire population, not only to men fit to fight in the military.
 
Izudin Selimbalic, a doctor from Kladanj, also testified at today’s hearing in favour of the defense. He said that during the war there were no differences in the provision of medical assistance to the Bosniak and Serb population.
 
“I took care of anyone who was in need,” he added.

Selimbalic said he offered to help the Serb population living in the teachers’ buildings in Stupari. He said he regularly visited them and that he came whenever they called him.
 
In response to questions by prosecutor Marijana Cobovic, Selimbalic said the Serbs living the teachers’ buildings would also visit his clinic.

When asked if the Serbs in the teachers’ buildings were surrounded by armed guards, Selimbalic said he believed the police protected them.
 
The trial continues on July 10, when Busnov will continue his testimony.