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Witness Radomir Neskovic, former Vice President of the Executive Board with the Serbian Democratic Party, SDS, explained that members of paramilitary formations, including Veselin “Batko” Vlahovic, committed crimes in Grbavica in the summer of 1992.
“Vlahovic’s crimes were known to everybody, including the army and civil and military police. I even reported him to the military police once,” Neskovic said, explaining that Vlahovic was frequently arrested, but he would always be released to liberty a short time later, as per orders given by authorities.
Commenting on the witness’ statements, indictee Karadzic said that the deportation of the non-Serb population from Grbavica was not organised, but rather was carried out by “individuals and certain groups” that he did not know about.
Karadzic, former President of SDS and Republika Srpska, RS, is on trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY for genocide, crimes against humanity and violation of the laws and customs of war committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The indictment alleges that Karadzic participated in a joint criminal enterprise with the aim of permanently removing Bosnian Muslims and Croats from 20 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Veselin ‘Batko’ Vlahovic is on trial before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina for crimes committed in Grbavica, Vraca and Kovacici, Sarajevo during the course of 1992. The indictment alleges that Vlahovic is charged with the murder of more than 30 people, which he committed alone or in cooperation with other armed persons, and abuse, beating and stealing from Bosniak and Croat citizens.
Continuing his testimony, Neskovic confirmed that Karadzic was the only leader of the Serbian Democratic Party, adding that he always received information on what exactly was happening in municipalities all over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Neskovic confirmed that, at a meeting with SDS municipal leaders held in Sarajevo in December 1991, Karadzic presented “a very important document”, also known as Plan A and Plan B.
“As per the mentioned document, Serbs were not only expected to take over the authority in municipalities in which they had majority of votes, but also in other municipalities,” Neskovic said, explaining that the document’s author was not known, but Karadzic promoted it and made decisions concerning its implementation.
During the course of cross-examination Karadzic, who is representing himself at this trial, said that the document was neither prepared by the SDS, nor was an agreement about it reached.
The trial of Karadzic before the Hague Tribunal is due to continue on June 7, when the examination of witness Neskovic will continue.
Once his examination has been completed, the examination of political expert Patrick Treanor will continue, so he can complete the presentation of his analysis of the SDS’ functioning in the leadup to the war and during the conflict itself.
