Civilians Were not Shelled in Ahatovici

Stojan Djino, former member of territorial defence and Bosnian Serb Army, said that Muslim forces started shelling on May 29, 1992  and that his family houses were shelled the next day.

He added that fighting started after that, but that Serb forces did not attack, but counterattacked in order to defence their houses. Defence asked him whether the places where there were civilians were shelled, Djino said that “only places from where Muslim artillery was attacking were targeted”.

“Only artillery was targeted, but there is a possibility that houses were hit. But, trust me, after Ahatovici were seized, I did not see ruined houses,” witness said.

Prosecution claimed that Serb forces captured around 50 members of Green berets and Croatian Defence Forces during the fights around Ahatovici, who were later beaten.

“My unit captured 19 fighters. None of those 19 was abused,” witness said, adding that he came to the barracks Rajlovac only later, when he learned about such events.

Prosecution asked whether Serb army destroyed mosque in Ahatovici, and witness confirmed it, saying that it happened during the fighting.

He testified at Ratko Mladic’s trial, who is charged with having terrorised the population of Sarajevo with artillery and sniper attacks against civilians during the 1992-95 siege of the city. He is also on trial for genocide in Srebrenica and seven other municipalities, persecution of Bosniaks and Croats, as well as taking UN peacekeepers hostage.

Witness also said that there were no professional soldiers in his unit at the beginning of the war, and that locals started organizing themselves to defend their homes.

“Several Serb families lived there. One family had its organization, another had its own, and there were no divisions or squads. But we can say there were family squads and my family was in squad Djino. People were keeping guard in front of their homes at night,” he said.

Speaking about the sniping, witness said that none of the soldiers from his unit was on professional training for snipers.

At the beginning of this hearing prosecution finished cross-examination of the witness Mihajlo Vujasin, former deputy commander of the Rajlovac Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, who said he opposed the plan that his brigade should go to free Sokolj, because of the great risk for civilians and soldiers. When asked whether he presented his stance to his superiors, witness said he did not, because he did not have the chance.

The trial continues on September 18.