Kondic et al: Leaving Kljuc

Hasan Salihovic, appearing as a Prosecution witness at the trial for crimes committed in Kljuc, told the Court that he left his home in Pudin Han in 1992, after having heard an order to do so, which was broadcast on the local radio.

“After they had started shelling Velagici, we heard on the radio that Vinko Kondic had ordered us to hand over our weapons and head towards the Public Safety Station in Kljuc. A short time after that, we went to the town, taking our women and children with us. However, on our way to the town we were stopped by soldiers and policemen, who detained us,” Salihovic explained.

Vinko Kondic, Bosko Lukic and Marko Adamovic are charged with helping to incite and organize a group of people to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against the non-Serb population in Kljuc during 1991 and 1992.

The indictment alleges that on May 28, 1992 an attack was conducted on Kljuc, Pudin Han and Velagici, when 12 civilians were killed. Following the attack, the residents were ordered to go to the town. On their way they were stopped at “the police check-point, next to ROPS”, where men were separated from women. The women and children were released after the separation, while the adult men were registered and questioned. A certain number of men were then released, while the others were
transferred to “Nikola Mackic” school building in Kljuc.

“We were accommodated in the Sipad Commerce hall, which was a detention camp, because armed soldiers were standing by the wire fence and we were not allowed to go out. The police ordered us to sign our names on a piece of paper. Later some men named Zeljko, Simo and Tode Gajic examined us. During the course of examination Zeljko hit me with a gun butt, but Tode told him not to beat me. After that they let me go,” Salihovic said.

After some time Salihovic returned to Pudin Han. He was forced to leave the place again on October 11, 1992. Prior to leaving the Kljuc area, he had to obtain “a movement permit”, and sign a document confirming that he waived his property in favour of the Republika Srpska authorities.

“The police issued the residence and movement permits at that time. So, me and my family left Pudin Han,” Salihovic said.

The trial is due to continue on Wednesday, April 15.