Trial for Capljina War Crimes Begins

The defendants have been charged with crimes against Bosniak civilians in July 1993. The indictment alleges that members of the police station commanded by Krndelj as well as Croatian Defense Council soldiers participated in a military operation in the village of Celjevo in the municipality of Capljina on July 19, 1993. Three Bosniak civilians were killed as a result.

The indictment further alleges that during the same operation police officers took a wounded civilian to the police station in Capljina, where they beat and mentally abused him. The civilian was then taken to a clinic and then to the Gabela detention camp.

According to the charges, Zovko was the commander of the police station in Capljina, Krndelj was the assistant commander, Rajic was the commander of the military police squad, and Ivica Cutura was an active police officer.

Krndelj, Zovko and Rajic have been charged with having failed to punish their subordinates in the civil and military police who murdered civilians.

Zovko, Krndelj and Cutura have also been charged with the unlawful arrest of civilians from the village of Veledarova Mahala and with taking civilians to the Gabela detention camp in July 1993.

Presenting his introductory statement, prosecutor Stanko Blagic said he would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants were guilty of acts of murder, mistreatment and unlawful arrest directed towards Bosniaks in the municipality of Capljina.

“Honorable court, we’re convinced that we’ll be able to prove through witness testimony and material evidence that the defendants committed the crimes and that their actions were solely based on discrimination, because the victims belonged to other ethnic groups,” Blagic said.

Branko Karadeglic, Cutura’s defense attorney, presented his introductory statement at today’s hearing. He described the indictment as “deficient” and “tendentious.”

“This man has no vices. He is a father of four and comes from a stable family. He’s worked as a police officer his entire life. His record is spotless. His life is the strongest opponent to this indictment, because this man continues to be well received in the community he lives in,” Karadeglic said.

The defense teams of the three other defendants didn’t present their introductory statements. They said they would present their opening statements after the state prosecution had presented its evidence.

The first witness will be examined on November 11.