Slavuljica Admitted to Killings, Says Former Prosecutor
This post is also available in: Bosnian
The state prosecution has charged Slavuljica, Dragan Marjanovic, Sasa Gavranovic, Vitomir Devic, Zoran Sljuk and Dragomir Kezunovic with the killing of 28 Bosniak and Croat civilians. The victims were allegedly detained at the Teslic police station and were then transferred to a prison in Pribinic. On the night of June 17 or 18, 1992, they were taken to Mount Borje and executed.
Peric said that during his time as a prosecutor he’d been involved in investigating the “Mice” paramilitary formation. He said Slavuljica admitted during his investigation that he’d participated in the killings that took place at the Bebe site on Mount Borje. Peric said Slavuljica was young and surprised at his own ability to participate in the killings.
The indictment alleges that at the time Dragan Marjanovic was the commander of the First Military Police Squad of the Teslicka Brigade of the Army of Republika Srpska, while the other indictees were members of that squad and also members of the “Mice” paramilitary formation.
Peric said the “Mice” paramilitary formation came to Teslic from Doboj in June 1992. He said they went to the municipal building of Teslic and interrupted a municipal session. They forced the president of the municipality to do push ups. According to Peric, afterwards they went to the Teslic police station and “slapped some inspectors.”
“They made chaos. They deposed persons and took over the police station,” said Peric.
According to Peric, the police arm of the “Mice” formation detained the Bosniak and Croat population of Teslic in the police station, where civilians were beaten and had their money and cars confiscated.
Peric said the arrest and prosecution of the “Mice” paramilitary formation was agreed upon during a meeting in Banja Luka. He said members of the formation were interrogated after their arrest and Slavuljica admitted his participation in the murder at the Babe site.
“Everything which was in accordance with the law was done,” Peric said.
Peric said the investigation was blocked after the government refused a request from the investigating judge to provide money to exhume the bodies of the victims.
The trial will continue on April 9.
