Srebrenica Police Station Established by Vasic in July 1995, Witness Says
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The Bosnian state prosecution has charged Vasic, Miodrag Josipovic, Branimir Tesic, Danilo Zoljic and Radomir Pantic with genocide committed in Srebrenica in July 1995. They are charged with participating or assisting in the forcible resettlement of the local population from Srebrenica, separating men from their families, as well as capturing and executing men and boys in Bratunac, Srebrenica and Zvornik.
According to the charges, at the time Vasic was the commander of the Zvornik police headquarters, Josipovic was the chief of the public safety station and Tesic was the deputy commander of the police station in Bratunac. Zoljic was the commander of special forces of the public safety center in Zvornik and Pantic was the commander of the First Company of the Special Units of Zvornik’s public safety center.
Luka Stevanovic, Dragomir Vasic’s former driver, testified at today’s hearing.
“An order came from the minister to establish a police station in Srebrenica. We departed on July 12, 1995. I drove Dragomir Vasic on that trip,” Stevanovic said.
When asked whether he knew what was happening in Srebrenica, Stevanovic said media reports announced that Srebrenica had been liberated on the evening on July 11, 1995.
Stevanovic said he and Vasic first went to the police station in Bratunac on July 12. He said after their visit, Vasic left in the direction of a hotel across the street from the police station.
When asked whether he knew what was happening at the hotel, Stevanovic said he was told meetings were being held there.
According to Stevanovic, Vasic’s first task on July 12 was to meet with public officials, in order to help him establish a police station in Srebrenica.
Stevanovic said he and Vasic went to the police station in Srebrenica on July 13 in order to appoint its chief and commander.
“I know that Petko Pavlovic was appointed chief,” Stevanovic said.
Stevanovic said they returned to Bratunac in the late afternoon. He said he saw army and police forces in Potocari.
“I saw many things in Potocari, like bundles, on the left and right side of the road at the entrance to Potocari. I assume it was the luggage of those people,” Stevanovic said.
Stevanovic confirmed having seen Srebrenica residents driven away by buses.
Stevanovic said he and Vasic returned to Zvornik on the night of July 14 or 15, 1995.
The trial will continue on August 20.
