Icanovic Testifies in Own Defense, Says Captives Were Handed Over to Military Police

Hasan Icanovic, the former commander of the 505th Knights Brigade of the Fifth Corps of the Bosnian Army, has been charged with crimes against prisoners of war in the Velika Kladusa area in late 1994. According to the charges, Icanovic killed two prisoners of war and beat other captives with a rifle butt in the area of Latica Glavica in late 1994.

Icanovic told the cantonal court of Bihac that he and soldiers under his command captured members of the National Defense of the Western Bosnia Autonomous Region during an operation in Latica Glavica.

“While my soldiers were searching them, Hamdija Sahinovic’s rifle accidentally fired and he became aggressive. I shouted at him, telling him to move away, and told him they were disarmed and should be sent to Hajrat, where the military police would take them,” Icanovic said.

He said he ordered Meho Kljajic to escort the captives to the military police.

“They came across Suljo Hodza Karajic, who began interrogating them. According to what I heard, two of the captives were killed during the interrogation. At the time Suljo was a member of the military police,” Icanovic said.

Icanovic said he informed his commander about the murder of the captives, but didn’t write any reports due to fierce combat occurring in the area.

Icanovic said the combat in the area lasted two or three hours. He said two members of his company were killed and approximately 15 were soldiers wounded.

“I felt sorry for each and every man. My men were known for the fact they had never killed captives. I didn’t know any of the captives. I am terribly sorry for what happened,” Icanovic said.

He also said there were several people in Buzim who had the same first and last name as him.

The prosecutor objected to the defendant’s testimony, stating that it was in “opposition to the prosecution’s evidence.”

The trial will continue on October 19.