Macic: Hit In The Kidneys

Ranko Zuza told the Court that a mass beating of prisoners happened after the International Red Cross had visited Celebici.

“My head was raised a bit, because I had to keep my hands behind my head. I am sure that Macic kicked me in the kidneys. Later on he passed in front of me. I could see that other detainees were beaten just like me,” Zuza said, describing the mass beating of prisoners that lasted, he said about an hour.

Zuza pointed out that about 250 prisoners were held in Celebici when the mass beating happened, adding that all of them were “treated in the same manner”.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Macic, former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, with war crimes committed against Serb prisoners of war and civilians in Celebici detention camp and “Musala” sports hall, Konjic municipality.

According to the charges, Macic participated in the murder of two Serb civilians in Celebici detention camp in 1992 and caused severe injuries to civilians and prisoners of war who were held in “Musala”.

Zuza said that prisoner Zeljko Cecez told him that Macic killed prisoner Milorad Kuljanin in June 1992.

“After he had told us about it, they called Cecez out. We heard hits and screams. After having beaten him up, they told us to carry him back inside. Somebody carried him in. I know that the last thing he said was that his right body side became numb. He did not say anything more,” Zuza said, adding the Cecez was dead when they brought him out of the room on the following day.

The witness said that he was brought to Celebici on May 26, 1992, adding that in September 1992 they transferred him to “Musala” sports hall, Konjic municipality, from which he fled one year later.

“Macic was a guard in Musala, but I do not know if he worked as a guard in Celebici too, or if he just came there occasionally. While I was held in Musala, I did not see him beating anyone, but he mistreated my uncle Risto Zuza, who had a mental disease. They used to strip him naked, shave his head(…),” Zuza said.

Responding to cross-examination questions by the Defence, the witness said that in his statement given to the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, on July 23, 1997, he did not mention having been beaten in August 1992, because at the time he spoke about the suffering of the Serb people in Bradina, Konjic municipality in general.

The trial is due to continue on June 16 this year, when the Prosecution will examine a new witness.

A.S.