Former Bosnian Army Members Accused of Killing Prisoners of War

Muhamed Adzem, Omer Ugljesa, Senad Halilovic and Suljo Karkelja, former members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, have been charged with abducting and killing seven prisoners of war. The prisoners were all members of the Bosnian Serb Army. On September 17, 1992, the defendants allegedly escorted the prisoners to Ladjeva Stijena near Kopaci, where they shot and killed them.

According to the charges, the bodies of two of the prisoners have been exhumed, while the others remain missing.

Witness Milja Vukovic said she saw her husband Kojo for the last time in April 1992, when she fled from Gorazde to Serbia.

Vukovic said she was in contact with her husband via letters and amateur radio communication until mid-August 1992. At that point, she heard that “Muslim units” had captured him Trovrh in the municipality of Gorazde.

“An acquaintance from Foca came in December 1992. He greeted all of us and said to me, ‘Be strong. Please accept my condolences’,” Vukovic said. She said she never found her husband’s remains.

District prosecutor Tarik Crnkic said he would prove the defendants’ guilt by examining witnesses and presenting material evidence.

The defense teams said that they would not present their introductory statements at this stage, and that they would submit lists of proposed evidence in due time.

The trial will continue on March 5.