Civil Authorities Responsible for Serbs in Stupari
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Muhamed Praso, who worked with the Red Cross of Kladanj municipality, told the Court that he came to Stupari at the beginning of June 1992 after having found out that Serbs from the surrounding villages were “relocated to the school building”, but he did not know under what circumstances it was done.
“They pointed to problems related to food and health protection. They wanted to be transferred to Sekovici,” the witness said.
As he said, he arranged a meeting with the President of the wartime Presidency of Kladanj municipality right away. At that meeting it was agreed that “measures aimed at improving food and medical assistance would be undertaken” but they could not be transferred to Sekovici for security reasons.
When asked who gave answers to Serb representatives at that meeting, the witness named Osman Cucak, President of the wartime Presidency, and indictee Safet Mujcinovic, who, according to the charges, was Commander of the Police Station in Stupari.
As he said, the wartime Presidency decided that Serbs would be transferred to the educational workers’ buildings in Stupari and that they would be guarded by police.
Mujcinovic is on trial, along with Zijad Hamzic, Selman Busnov, Nusret Muhic, Ramiz Halilovic, Nedzad Hodzic, Osman Gogic and Kahro Vejzovic, former members of the Territorial Defence as well as military and civil authorities, for the unlawful detention of the Serb population as well as beating and inhumane treatment.
Praso said that a similar meeting was held in January 1993, adding that representatives of the Red Cross attended that meeting as well. “At that meeting they specifically insisted on being relocated to Sekovici,” he said.
According to the witness’ testimony, such a decision could not be made by police and the Territorial Defence without consent of the wartime Presidency. As he said, the Serbs were transferred from the educational workers buildings in July 1993 but no details about it were known to him.
Second State Prosecution witness Sefik Avdibegovic said that he worked as a duty officer at the Public Safety Station in Kladanj and that no Serbs were arrested during his shifts.
He said that he found out, through informal sources, that Serbs stayed in the educational workers’ buildings and that they were guarded by police. When asked why they guarded them, the witness said: “So those people would stay alive.”
The trial is due to continue on October 17.
