Indictment for War Crimes Committed by Capljina Police Filed

According to the charges, Nikola Zovko was the commander of the police station in Capljina, Petar Krndelj was the assistant commander, Kreso Rajic was the commander of the military police squad, and Ivica Cutura was an active police officer.

“Defendants Nikola Zovko, Petar Krndelj and Kreso Rajic, who acted in collaboration with other members of civil and military police during an operation in Celjevska Ada, are charged with capturing three unarmed Bosniak civilians and then depriving them of their lives,” the prosecution announced.

According to the announcement, Krndelj led the operation. Zovko and Krndelj are suspected of having severely wounded and captured another Bosniak during the Celjevska Ada operation. The victim was then taken to police premises in Capljina, where civil police officers physically and mentally abused him.

“Due to his wounds and injuries, the person was subjected to severe physical suffering for a long period of time. He still feels severe physical suffering as a consequence,” the announcement says.

The prosecution also suspects Cutura, Zovko and Krndelj of having deceived several Bosniak civilians by convincing them to get into a minivan in the village of Veledarova Mahala in July 1993. The defendants allegedly drove the civilians to the Gabela detention facility, where they were held until mid-December 1993.

The indictment will be forwarded to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina for confirmation.