Radisic Described as “Ordinary Soldier” by Defense Witness

Pero Radisic, a former commander of a work squad of the Teslicka Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, has been charged with participating in the abuse of Bosniak civilians in the from 1992 to 1995.

He has been charged with taking several persons to locations where they performed forced labour. While working on the the frontlines, at least six civilians were killed and some were wounded.

Nikola Jerinic, the former commander of the Third Infantry Company of the Teslicka Brigade with the Bosnian Serb Army, testified at today’s hearing. Jerinic said he received an order in May 1992 to go to the village of Radisici in the municipality of Teslic.

He said when he went to Radisici, the Territorial Defense was already there. At the time Radisic was a member of the Territorial Defense. He said the Territorial Defense had to join forces with the Third Infantry Company.

“Pero Radisic was an ordinary soldier. He held the division line. He was assigned a military uniform of the Yugoslav National Army (JNA). Soldiers had various weapons at that time,” Jerinic said.

Jerinic said his unit played a defensive role and that there was no work squad while he was in Radisici.

“I met Radisic when I arrived in the village. I never heard that he mistreated or beat anyone. I know his children. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve never had any problems with him,” Jerinic said.

Bogoljub Misic, a former member of the Second Battalion of the Teslicka Brigade, was the second witness to testify at today’s hearing. Misic said people who were capable of performing civil duties were invited to work voluntarily for the Civil Protection Unit. He said they were accommodated in the “Partizan” building.

He said the command staff of the Second Battalion recruited workers from the civil duty unit, while soldiers escorted them to the frontline. Misic said they set the division line and performed supportive tasks.

Misic said that members of the working squad had movement permits and were protected. He said the defendant was sometimes tasked with escorting the work squad to the frontline.

“I used to see Radisic during the war. I think he had a grey-olive uniform. I never noticed that he applied repressive measures towards the people he escorted,” Misic said.

Misic said no members of the work squad were injured on the division line his unit held.

The trial will continue on January 15, 2016.