Vlahovic: Swollen from beating

Ana Bogdanic told the Trial Chamber that in 1992 she lived at Grbavica with her husband Franjo, and that in April that year apartment were frequently searched and males taken away.

In June 1992, according to Bogdanic, she and her husband for the first time met Vlahovic, who came to their entrance of the building. The witness said that she was in the apartment, while her husband was in the basement because shelling was under way.

“Batko came to our floor with another soldier and wanted to take down the door of the neighbour from across the corridor. I offered him the key telling him he doesn’t have to break down the door,” said Bogdanic.

Bogdanic said that her husband then came to the apartment and the defendant asked him what his name was. She added that the defendant started beating her husband when he learnt that his name was Franjo.

“He started hitting him with fists and drove him into the toilet of our apartment and then I could not see what was happening any more, but I was very afraid for my husband because he had a heart condition,” the witness said.

After some time, Bogdanic recalled that the sounds of the fight from the toilet stopped, after which the defendant came out, pushed her into the room, put the rifle under her chin and threatened to kill her.

“However, then he took the keys and went to the neighbour’s apartment and only then did I see my husband who was all swollen from the beating,” said Ana Bogdanic, claiming that after that her husband’s condition deteriorated and he started spending his time in hospital frequently.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charged Vlahovic with taking part in the murder of several persons in 1992 in the territory of the municipality of Grbavica, Vraca and Kovacica, as well as that he abused Bosniak and Croat civilians, from whom he took money and other valuables. Another indictment was brought against Vlahovic, charging him with murders and disappearances of 14 persons, as well as the rape and abuse of civilians.

Razija Durakovic, the second witness for the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this hearing, said that Vlahovic came to the apartment in which she lived with her mother, on June 28, 1992.

“He came with another soldier, while Batko was carrying a rifle and he asked me for my name. Then he took the food and drink and told me to get dressed and come with him to give a statement,” said Durakovic.

According to Durakovic, the place where statements were deposited was close to her building, and the defendant opened the door of his car to her. “I was afraid where I would be taken. I heard stories and started running and said I know where statements are deposited and that I would go on foot,” she said.

According to the witness, the defendant followed her in his car and when he cut her off, she ran in opposite direction and fled. “I entered the building and since he was on the other side, he could not see which entrance I chose,” said Durakovic.

Witness Durakovic said that when Vlahovic left, she ran to her building and immediately went to her apartment to take her mother down to the neighbour’s apartment.

“We heard him return, that he entered our apartment above and trashed the place,” said Durakovic, adding that the defendant stole 700 Deutschemarks and gold worth around 5,000 Deutschemarks.

The trial will resume on Thursday, December 22 this year.M.B.