Raguz et al: Examinations in Kostana Hospital

Remzo Suta, former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, told the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO arrested him on July 13, 1993 and then took him to Kostana hospital.

“They began calling our names out and ordered us to go to the office one by one. At the time I did not know that Veselko Raguz was the one examining us. He examined me, while others hit me in case I failed to say something. Raguz ordered the others to hit me with their fists and legs. I do not know how many times they hit me. The examination lasted ten minutes. It was painful, but I bore the pain,” said Suta.

He said that other prisoners told him that the name of the person, who examined him, was Veselko Raguz.

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina charges Veselko Raguz, former Commander of the Fourth Battalion with the “Knez Domagoj” Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, and Ivo Raguz, former member of that Brigade, with having participated in crimes against civilians in Stolac and Capljina in July and August 1993.

It is alleged that Veselko Raguz ordered, assisted or participated in the unlawful arrests of civilians and resettlement of Bosniak women and children, while Ivo Raguz is charged with having abused civilians.

Witness Suta was not able to remember the names of indictee’s neighbours, who told him, while he was held in Kostana hospital, that Veselko Raguz was the man, who examined him during his detention. Suta told the Court that he saw Veselko Raguz in Masline village on the day, when he was arrested, along with ten other persons.

“They mistreated us, but, when Veselko Raguz arrived, he told them to stop. They loaded us onto a truck and transported us to Kostana hospital in Stolac. They abused us and hit us with their legs and fists until Raguz arrived,” the witness said.

Suta said that he was held in Kostana hospital for one day, before being transferred to Dretelj military barracks, near Capljina. “They broke my ribs in Dretelj. My eye was closed for a month. I couldn’t see anything. I stayed in Dretelj until October 1993,” Suta said, adding that he never saw Veselko Raguz in Dretelj.

Hasan Catic, former member of HVO, testified for the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina at this hearing. He said that he was arrested and detained in Kostana hospital in July 1993.

“I was not abused in Kostana hospital. A truck came on the following morning. It drove us towards Capljina, to Dretelj. They took us to an underground room, where we stayed for three months. I was examined by a man in a civil suit. The man, who examined me, did not even touch me. I do not know what his name was,” Catic said, adding that he did not know indictee Veselko Raguz.

The trial is due to continue on October 3.