Ex-Police Commander Says He Knew Nothing of Bijeljina Disappearances in 1992

The district prosecution of Bijeljina has charged Dragan Cobic, a former member of the Interventions Squad of the Bijeljina police station, with arresting Mustafa Salkovic and Faruk Bilalic on September 11, 1992. Cobic and four other unknown perpetrators allegedly drove them in an unknown direction and killed them.

Former Bijeljina police commander Zoran Spasojevic testified at today’s hearing for the district prosecution of Bijeljina. Spasojevic said he knew nothing about the arrest and disappearance of Mustafa Salkovic and Faruk Bilalic in September 1992.

Spasojevic told the district court of Bijeljina that he found out about the disappearance of the two injured parties after 2000, when he was invited to give a statement regarding their disappearance at the public safety center in Bijeljina.

Spasojevic then described the chain of command that was in effect at the Bijeljina police station in 1992.

He confirmed that Dragan Cobic was a member of the Interventions Squad. After he was presented with a patrol warrant dated September 11, 1992, he agreed with the allegation that Cobic was on duty that day.

He was unable to say whether the defendant was given a task requiring him to go to the field on that day. He also said he couldn’t remember having invited the defendant to the station for an informative interview regarding the disappearance of the two men.

The trial will continue on February 1.