Former Territorial Defense Members Questioned on Trovrh Prisoners

The district prosecution of Eastern Sarajevo has charged Muhamed Adzem, Omer Ugljesa, Senad Halilovic and Suljo Karkelja, former members of the Bosnian Army, with participating in the murder of seven prisoners of war, former members of the Bosnian Serb Army, on September 17, 1992.

According to the charges, the prisoners were captured on August 21, 1992. They were then detained on the premises of the municipal secretariat for internal affairs in Gorazde. Then they were allegedly taken to Ladjeva Stijena in Kopaci, where they were killed.

Hamed Risljanin, the former commander of the Territorial Defense Headquarters in Gorazde, was the first witness to testify at today’s hearing. Risljanin said he heard that during an operation called “Circle,” which aimed at clearing Gorazde of Bosnian Serb forces, a number of people were captured or surrendered.

He said he didn’t know who they were handed over to or who was responsible for them.

Tarik Crnkic, a district prosecutor with the Eastern Sarajevo district prosecution, presented Risljanin with a document dated September 17, 1992. The document indicated that the prisoners of war were handed over to Muhamed Adzem, Omer Ugljesa, Senad Halilovic, Suljo Karkelja and Murat Adzem as per an order by Ekrem Hubijer.

“I know Adzem. He was a member of a squad…I used to see the others later on,” Risljanin said.

Risljanin said Ekrem Hubijer was appointed commander. He said he became an assistant commander for intelligence and security affairs later on.

Risljanin said the headquarters didn’t have its own formal military police. He said individuals who accompanied Hubijer performed the functions of the military police.

Prosecution witness Husno Hrapo was the second witness to testify at today’s hearing. Hrapo said he was the commander of the Territorial Defense Headquarters for a certain period of time, and served under Ekrem Hubijer. He said he didn’t know which function Hubijer performed.

He said he had never found out about the case of the seven prisoners of war.

“I know nothing about it. Had I known about it, they would have stayed alive,” Hrapo said.

Witness Mirela Granov confirmed having checked documentation confiscated from the Bosnian Serb Army at the entry to Gorazde.

The trial will continue on March 10.