Witness at Glogovac Trial Describes Injuries on Kamenica Prisoner
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The state prosecution has charged Glogovac, a former military police officer with the Doboj operational group of the Ninth Battalion of the First Krajiski Corps of the Bosnian Serb Army, with causing severe physical and mental suffering to civilians and prisoners of war. The injured parties were allegedly detained in the basement of the Franjo Herljevic hunting lodge in Kamenica in the municipality of Zavidovici from June-August 1992. Glogovac allegedly acted in collaboration with other members of the Bosnian Serb Army.
According to the indictment, Glogovac beat detainees Ahmedin Memcic, Zuhdija Memcic, Besir Softic and others. He kicked them and punched them until they lost consciousness. The beatings allegedly occurred several times a day.
Novak Mitrovic was originally charged with Glogovac, but has since died.
Risto Momcicevic, a former member of the Ozrenska Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, testified at today’s hearing. Momcicevic said a prison was located in the Franjo Herljevic hunting lodge in the village of Kamenica. He said the prison held three people.
He said he saw the prisoners performing forced labour, and noticed injuries on prisoner Ahmedin Memcic’s face. He said he knew Memcic from before the war.
“I asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee. He told me he wasn’t allowed to drink it. He wasn’t allowed to talk. He had injuries on his face,” Momcicevic said.
He said the prisoners were guarded by Novica Mitrovic, and told the trial chamber he asked Mitrovic what he had done to Memcic. He said Mitrovic told him it was none of his business.
“He was the chief, in charge of the prisoners,” Momcicevic said.
In a statement Momcicevic gave to the State Investigation and Protection Agency in 2014, he said Memcic told him Mitrovic had beaten him and that he was the only person with a key to the prison. During the hearing, Momcicevic confirmed that this statement was accurate.
Haris Catic, the second prosecution witness to testify, said Serb soldiers captured several Bosniaks during an attack on the village of Kucice. He said the captives were then taken to the village of Kamenica.
The trial will continue on September 29.
