Gasping for Air

As the trial for crimes in Vogosca continues, a State Prosecution witness says that he heard that a man known as Mongo mistreated prisoners and forced them to have oral sex with each other in “Bunker”.

Mensur Sahbegovic, who used to live in Vogosca, was arrested and taken to the Police Station, along with his neighbours, on June 11.

“After having been examined, we were transported by minivan to ‘Kod Sonje’. They beat up Mirsad Zilic, who had an amulet. I begged them to let him go, because he suffered from epilepsy,” Sahbegovic said, adding that Manager Branko Vlaco received them at that location.

On that same day he was detained in “Bunker”. He said that he particularly remembered the events that took place on June 12.

“Somebody threw tear-gas into ‘Bunker’. We were in agony, gasping for air,” the witness said.

He said that a man known as Mongo came to “Bunker” and asked Branko Vlaco if weapons had been found in our homes. Vlaco answered negatively, adding that it was actually “the cleansing of the village”. Mongo then took two detainees out.

“We heard him forcing one of them to make a somersault. We heard a dull impact sound. And then again. After that he forced them to orally satisfy each other,” Sahbegovic said, adding that he heard all this through the “Bunker” door.

The witness was separated by Mongo, whom he described as a short young man from Ilidza, who had an earring and automatic gun.

“He hit me underneath my eye and on my head with a pistol handle. He cut my ear lobe off with his boot. He tried to strangle me with a cable,” Sahbegovic said, adding that Mongo then had a verbal conflict with Vlaco.

In the meantime, the witness’ mother intervened, seeking neighbour Mile’s help in releasing Sahbegovic. Vlaco drove him to the Dispensary in Vogosca, where he received first aid. He was then released home. He spent 24 hours in the detention camp.

Branko Vlaco, former Manager of “Bunker”, “Planjina Kuca”, “Kod Sonje” and “Nakina Garaza” detention camps, is charged with having established a system for punishment of detained civilians, who were abused, forced to perform hard labour and used as human shields at various locations, where many were killed. Tens of them are still missing.

Second State Prosecution witness Osman Djogic from Vranjak village said that, even prior to being arrested, he had performed his civil duties assigned to him by Branko Vlaco. The witness said that, approximately in June he was taken to “Planjina Kuca”, where he was beaten up, because he had fled from the village two days before.
 
The witness said that detainees were taken to Zuc in order to perform labour and be used as human shields. The witness was wounded at that location.

“Mladjo Vlaco was there. He told them to take us to the dispensary,” the witness said, adding that some detainees were killed on that day.

The Prosecution said that, when he mentioned Mladjo Vlaco, the witness actually referred to Branko Vlaco.

Vlaco is also charged with having participated in a widespread systematic attack by Serb forces against the civilian population and having raped one female person in the period from May to November 1992.

The rape victim was due to testify at the hearing today, but she failed to appear due to having suffered a third stroke. The Prosecution said that it might give up that specific count in case the victim failed to appear in court.

The trial is due to continue on November 20.