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Testifying at the trial for crimes in “Viktor Bubanj” military barracks in Sarajevo, a Defence witness says that he used to see indictee Ramiz Avdovic “procuring bread and water”.
Witness Enes Bacvic said that he was a member of the Territorial Defence, which became a unit with the First Corps of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, later on, adding that Dzevad Topic was its commander.
When asked by Defence attorney Mirza Kovac whether the indictee was a member of that unit, the witness said that Avdovic “appeared at the end of April or beginning of May, 1993.”
“I know that he hung around the Command building. When Ismet Bajramovic, known as Celo, said that a prison would be formed in ‘Viktor Bubanj’ military barracks and that we should send an experienced person, I proposed that Ramiz Avdovic be sent there,” Bacvic said.
According to his testimony, the military barracks was guarded by members of military police.
Avdovic and Iulian-Nicolae Vintiloa are on trial for crimes committed in “Viktor Bubanj” and the Central Prison in Sarajevo. They are charged with having participated in the establishment and maintenance of a system for the abuse of Serb detainees.
The Prosecution of BiH alleges that detained civilians were subjected to suffering and torture, while also being forced to perform labour. The indictment alleges that Avdovic was Commander of guards on the fifth floor of the Central Prison in Sarajevo and former “Viktor Bubanj” military barracks, while Vintila was a cook and guard in the former barracks.
Witness Miralem Sarija said that he worked as supervisor of police in the prison. As he said, Esad Osmanbegovic was the Prison Manager.
Sarija said that some detainees and convicts were held on the fifth floor, but he did not enter those premises.
“Soldiers escorted those persons upstairs. Not all of them were uniformed. Some were dressed in civil suits. I do not know on the basis of what they were brought,” the witness said.
He said that Ismet ‘Celo’ Bajramovic was an authoritative person.
The witness said that he did not see Avdovic at that place.
The trial is due to continue on April 15.
