Witnesses Describe Mistreatment of Ripac Prisoners

The state prosecution has charged Zeljko Stanarevic, a former military policeman with the 15th Bihacka Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, with participating in the murder of 11 prisoners from a facility in Ripac, in the Bihac area. The killings allegedly took place between June 24 and the first half of July 1992 at the Bezdan Pit.

According to the indictment, Stanarevic and other members of the Bosnian Serb Army drove the prisoners to the pit. The prosecution alleges that Stanarevic participated in the execution of the prisoners and dumped the bodies into the pit.

State prosecution witness Muharem Strkljevic said he left Kulen-Vakuf with his family and other local residents on June 10, 1992 and moved towards Orasac. He said the shelling began there.

According to Strkljevic, the local population from several surrounding villages began fleeing and went down to Strbacki Buk. He said they wanted to cross a wire-bridge and reach Croatian territory. He said approximately 3000 people were present there.

Strkljevic said the people were separated at Strbacki Buk.

“They separated them. Whoever had any military objects had to stand aside. I had military boots,” Strkljevic said. Strkljevic said they had lists, but nobody read his name.

He said they were transferred to the warehouse of a company named IMP in the village of Ripac on June 12 or 13, 1992.

According to Strkljevic, approximately 135 detainees were there. Strkljevic said they were guarded by civil police and two or three groups of between 12 and 15 people were taken away.

Strkljevic said he was on a list of 70 people, who were taken to a prisoner exchange on June 24, 1992.

Strkljevic said people who stayed behind had been found in Bezdan Pit.

During cross-examination Strkljevic said he had never seen or heard of Stanarevic.

Suad Dedic was the second witness to testify at today’s hearing. He said that after he was wounded and he fled from the village of Cukovi in June 1992. He said he was captured and brought to the Ripac detention facility.

He said he stayed in Ripac until his exchange, when a total of 70 people were exchanged.

“I know that the people who stayed behind were killed and found in the Bezdan Pit,” Dedic said. He said a cousin of his was one of the victims.

Mahmut Ramic, former medical technician from Kulen-Vakuf, also testified at today’s hearing. He said he fled the village in June 1992 and went to Strbacki Buk.

He said the military separated approximately 200 men there. He said he heard they were taken to a detention camp in Ripac.

“Some went out, while others were killed,” Ramic said.

The trial will continue on September 28.