Witnesses Describe Attacks on Civilians in Breza at Tomas Trial

Tomas, a former member of the Bosnian Serb Army, has been charged with the physical abuse and inhumane treatment of Bosniak civilians on November 29, 1992, in the village of Breza in the municipality of Hadzici.

Witness Fadil Korjenic said he was in Breza with his family during October or November 1992. One night, Korjenic said he heard banging at the door and someone calling them to come out.

Korjenic said he’s partially blind, and could only make out two armed and uniformed figures.

He said one of the men pushed him and hit him several times.

“Later on I found out it was Momir Tomas. Asim [Korjenic], Nihad [Becirovic] and Sulejman told me,” Korjenic said.

He said he and others were threatened and ordered to push a car.

According to Korjenic, Asim Korjenic had injuries, primarily on his head, which he claimed were caused by Momir Tomas.

The prosecution presented a report on the examination of Korjenic in 2014, and pointed to partial differences in his testimony. According to the report, Korjenic had said one of the soldiers began shooting. Korjenic said at today’s hearing that he wasn’t sure whether this had happened.

When asked by the defense whether the two soldiers came back again, Korjenic said they returned but didn’t harm him.

Ifeta Becirovic, Korjenic’s sister-in-law, also testified at this hearing. Becirovic said she was staying over at Korjenic’s house on November 29, 1992, when two armed and uniformed soldiers came to their door.

Becirovic said she opened the door and woke up her brother-in-law and a neighbour who was also staying over. Afterwards, she said she sat with a soldier in the kitchen. Becirovic said they treated her politely.

In response to questions by the prosecution, Becirovic said she was afraid when one of the soldiers asked her to “recite the Bismillah phrase,” which she didn’t know. She also said golden jewelry that she kept in a case was taken from her.

Becirovic said she was ordered to go up to the attic in order to bring food, when she heard the sound of a motor and a gunshot. She said when she returned, she saw that Asim Korjenic had injuries on his head.

Responding to questions by the defense, Becirovic said the soldiers didn’t threaten her as they left. She said she didn’t know if there were other soldiers in the area, because she didn’t leave the house.

The trial will continue on September 8.