Nikola Maric Protected Civilians, Defense Witnesses Say

Maric, a former member of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO), has been charged with 25 counts of murder, torture and other inhumane acts against the Bosniak population in Prozor from November 1992 to October 1993.

A protected witness known as B testified at today’s hearing. B said she used to live in the village of Lug in the municipality of Prozor. She said members of the Croatian Defense Council injured her husband and father in 1993. Maric, whom she recognized, helped her.

“He came to my door and brought 560 Marks and a car trunk filled with food. He said, ‘As long as my wife has food, your child will have it as well.’ He told my father, ‘Grandpa, tell me what you need,’” B said.

B said Maric’s deceased brother, known as Cela, abducted her and two of children from their house in November 1993. She said she managed to hide her third child on a balcony.

“I spotted Ante Glibo and Nikola Maric, who said, ‘Cela, let her go. You do something to her, I’ll do the same to you.’ At that moment I fainted,” B said.

Responding to questions from the prosecution, B denied allegations that Maric helped her because her husband was a member of the Croatian Defense Council. She said “everyone was in the HVO at the time.”

“He helped me because he has a good heart,” she said.

B said the Bosniak population, including her relatives, were kicked out of Lug. She said she left the village in January 1994, and went to her husband, who was undergoing medical treatment in Zagreb.

A protected witness known as A also testified at today’s hearing. She said she went to the village of Duge with her husband in late August 1993. She said her husband had been released from the Dretelj detention camp. She said a few Bosniaks, including she and her husband, stayed in the village. A said she and her husband were in an ethnically mixed marriage.

“We couldn’t move freely. We were afraid of unknown HVO soldiers…Nikola Maric used to come two or three times a week. He would have coffee with us and offer help,” A said.

She said the remaining Bosniak women and girls were hiding out of fear, but they would come home to take a bath when Nikola Maric was in the village, because they were not afraid during his visits.

A’s husband said he was able to the detention camp because he was in a mixed marriage. He said that was also the reason why he was able to remain in Duge after the other local residents had been deported.

“When Nikola Maric visited me, I felt free while in my house…His mere presence offered protection. We were happy when he came,” he said.

The trial will continue on January 8.