Witnesses Describe Assault of Civilians in Gorice
This post is also available in: Bosnian
The state prosecution has charged Goran Mrdja, Milorad Mrdja, Ranko Mrdja and Mile Kokot, all former members of the Sixth Sanska Infantry Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, with participating in crimes against Bosniaks in the Sanski Most area. The alleged crimes include acts of murder, rape, assault, theft, as well as other kinds of mental and physical abuse.
State prosecution witness Rufad Kuburic testified at today’s hearing. He said that on May 2 or 3, 1993, he heard knocks on his door.
“There were three men. I recognized two of them, Goran Mrdja and his cousin Milorad,” Kuburic said.
Kuburic said Goran Mrdja put a gun to his head and forced him to lie down while the soldiers beat him. Kuburic said the same soldiers assaulted his cousins, Asim and Fikret. Kuburic said he was beaten again on the same night. He said the soldiers took his watch and a gold ring.
“Goran kicked me in the head and I just passed out,” Kuburic said. He said the soldiers made his family say “Goodnight and sweet dreams” on their way out.
After the soldiers left, Kuburic said he heard a gunshot.
“The soldiers went to a couple more houses and ended up in Hasib’s house,” Kuburic said. He said Hasib Velic was killed that night.
During cross examination, Kuburic said that he heard stories that Goran Mrdja killed three more people in Skucani Vakuf.
Suvad Kuburic also testified at this hearing. He said he recognized Goran and Milorad Mrdja the night his family was attacked. He said that he was forced into a room with his mother and neighbor and heard screams coming from the living room.
“Rufad was all beaten up. He had cuts and a bashed head…Asim had a ruptured lip. Fikret said that he was assaulted with a knife,” Kuburic said.
During cross examination, Kuburic denied having agreed to testify with his neighbors.
The trial resumes on October 26.
