Witness Describes Execution of Trnopolje Prisoners at Vlasenko and Koncar Trial

Rade Vlasenko, Mitar Vlasenko and Drago Koncar, all former members of the Bosnian Serb Army, have been charged with crimes in Prijedor.

State prosecution witness and former Trnopolje detention camp prisoner Muhamed Mahmuljin testified at today’s hearing. Mahmuljin said he was captured in Kozarac on May 25, 1992 with his cousin Midhat Mahmuljin. He said they were taken to the Trnopolje detention camp, which he said held 1500 prisoners.

In July 1992, Mahmuljin said he saw a yellow truck approach the camp. He said Rade Vlasenko, Mile Fustar and two or three other soldiers were in the truck.

Mahmuljin said he knew Vlasenko well and recognized him in the courtroom.

Mahmuljin said when the truck approached he was with his cousin Midat Mahmuljin, a protected witness known as S2 and another prisoner. He said Rade Vlasenko and Mile Fustar ordered them to carry wood and asked his cousin to join them.

“Rade [Vlasenko] pointed at Midhat [Mahmuljin], Adem Filaic and Mujkanovic,” Mahmuljin said.

According to Mahmuljin, none of the three prisoners returned that day. A day later, the prisoner named Mujkanovic returned and told him that they were ordered to carry wood in Brdjani and then were executed.

“He said they were lined up by the two men that took them. He managed to jump out of the way and the two others were killed. He said, ‘I know they are dead,’” Mahmuljin said. Mahmuljin added that Mujkanovic didn’t see who was shooting.

Mahmuljin said people were taken away from the Trnopolje detention camp every day and that prisoners were killed.

During cross examination, Mahmuljin was asked why he didn’t ask Vlasenko to spare his cousin. Mahmuljin said he didn’t know what would happen to him.

The judges will set the date of the next hearing at a later date.