Former Commander Testifying at Segahic Trial Unaware of Kakanj Detentions

Segahic, the former manager of a detention facility in the old directorate building of a coal mine in Kakanj, has been charged with participating in the torture of Croat detainees. The prosecution alleges Segahic failed to undertake necessary and reasonable measures to prevent the torture and report the perpetrators to his superiors.

Enver Hadzihasanovic, the former commander of the Third Corps of the Bosnian Army, testified at today’s hearing. Hadzihasanovic told the cantonal court of Zenica that after he received an invitation to appear in court, he researched the case on the Internet. He said it was the first time he’d heard of court proceedings against Segahic.

“In the period covered by the indictment, meaning between June and September 1993, I was not in Kakanj,” Hadzihasanovic said.

Segahic addressed Hadzihasanovic, and said he helped release his brother-in-law from a military detention unit after he’d been arrested for robbing abandoned Croat houses. Hadzihasanovic denied this claim.

“I would have known had any members of my family been detained. That is not true,” Hadzihasanovic said.

Hadzihasanovic said pending an investigation, he was unable to determine whether information on the detention of hundreds of Croat soldiers and civilians had been hidden from him.

“The establishment of a facility for detaining captives is the responsibility of the brigade commander and Territorial Defense Headquarters, if it has a military police component. Each situation was different. It was done as needed. I’m not aware that any arrests occurred in Kakanj. I know they happened in Zenica,” Hadzihasanovic said.

He said relatives of Kakanj detainees never approached him. He said he didn’t know where documentation on Kakanj detainees could have been archived. He also said he didn’t know whether the Military Police Battalion or the Third Corps questioned detainees at the Kakanj facility.

The trial will continue on October 8.