Witness Says Veljko Papic Commanded Work Squad in Sarajevo

The cantonal prosecution of Sarajevo has charged Papic, the former commander of a battalion with the First Sarajevska Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, with the inhumane treatment, intimidation and abuse of civilians from 1992 to 1994. He allegedly forced civilians to perform hard labour and exposed them to life threatening situations in Sarajevo.

Testifying at today’s hearing, state prosecution witness Rizah Pasalic said he was recruited by the work squad at the beginning of summer of 1992, and worked in the Grbavica neighbourhood of Sarajevo.

“In the beginning, I was given tasks in the vicinity of the house. I used to carry water to soldiers and performed some minor tasks. The real work squad was formed in late December 1992. We had to report to duty each morning. Most of the members were Muslims and Catholics,” Pasalic said.

Pasalic remembered the date when he was ordered to mine a building shared by the Bosnian Serb Army and the Bosnian Army. According to Pasalic, Papic told him he would carry an explosive and set it inside the building.

Pasalic, who identified the defendant in the courtroom, said he had to check the wires several times, because the explosive device failed to activate.

“I was sure I’d get killed, because I had to connect the wires. It was like a horror movie,” he said.

Pasalic said he didn’t see Papic every day. He said he didn’t receive orders directly from him, even though he was the commander of the work squad.

“In my concrete case, I used to deliver food most often. For a certain period of time I carried bricks, dug bunkers and performed physical labour. Sometimes we carried furniture out of apartments…I didn’t get any remuneration for my work. All we got was food,” Pasalic said.

The trial will continue on November 10.