Witnesses Testify Against Goran and Ranko Mrdja, Allege Abuse

The state prosecution has charged Goran Mrdja, Milorad Mrdja, Ranko Mrdja and Mile Kokot, all former members of the Sixth Sanska Infantry Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, with participating in crimes against Bosniaks in the Sanski Most area. The alleged crimes include acts of murder, rape, assault, theft, as well as other kinds of mental and physical abuse.

State prosecution witness Muhamed Brakic testified at today’s hearing. Brakic said Goran Mrdja came to his home on May 2, 1993, after midnight. He said he believed defendant Ranko Mrdja was with him as well. He said Goran Mrdja was armed with a knife and a gun. Mrdja then allegedly pointed the gun at Brakic and demanded money. Brakic said he gave him more than 70 or 80 Deutschmarks.

Brakic said he was hit in the chest by the defendants and fell unconscious. He said he thought the defendants also struck his son. He said he then managed to run away to the woods with his wife.

“I heard a gunshot and Hasib [Velic] yelling, ‘Oh, my mother,’” Brakic said.

Goran Mrdja’s defense attorney said Brakic had mentioned a knife and a gun in previous statements but hadn’t mentioned the defendant’s name. Brakic said he believed he had said his name.

Ranko Mrdja’s defense attorney asked Brakic why he failed to mention Goran Mrdja before this hearing. Brakic said he was always referring to Goran Mrdja, but said that on the night of the attack he didn’t know the defendant’s name.

State prosecution witness Esad Brakic also said Goran Mrdja and Ranko Mrdja came to his house in May 1993.

“That’s when the abuse started, they asked for money. Goran hit me once,” Brakic said. He said Goran Mrdja hit his father and placed a knife to his head.

Brakic said he also fled to the woods and also heard someone yelling “Oh, my mother.”

“I heard later on that Hasib Velic was killed,” Brakic said.

The trial continues on September 14.