Former VRS Soldier Describes Abuse of Prisoners in Kamenica

The state prosecution has charged Glogovac, a former military police officer with the Doboj operational group of the Ninth Battalion of the First Krajiski Corps of the Bosnian Serb Army (VRS), with causing severe physical and mental suffering to civilians and prisoners of war. The injured parties were allegedly detained in the basement of the Franjo Herljevic hunting lodge in Kamenica in the municipality of Zavidovici from June-August 1992. Glogovac allegedly acted in collaboration with other members of the Bosnian Serb Army.

According to the indictment, Glogovac beat detainees Ahmedin Memcic, Zuhdija Memcic, Besir Softic and others. He kicked them and punched them until they lost consciousness. The beatings allegedly occurred several times a day.

Novak Mitrovic, who died in the meantime, was originally charged with Glogovac.

Nedjeljko Ubiparipovic, a former member of the Second Ozrenska Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, testified at today’s hearing. He said he visited the basement of the Franjo Herljevic hunting lodge in the summer of 1992. He said he was accompanied with Novak Mitrovic, who held the key to the basement.

He said he didn’t enter the premises where the detainees were held, but looked through a window at the prisoners. He said he saw the prisoners being beaten by Mitrovic and four other men.

“Mitrovic was accompanied by four men. Novak began hitting and cursing their Balija [a derogatory term for Muslims] mothers. Blood began pouring from Ahmedin’s nose. They were beating the others as well, kicking them, punching them and hitting them with a wooden baton. I moved away, because I could no longer watch,” Ubiparipovic said.

Ubiparipovic said he thought eight or nine prisoners were held in the basement, but he only knew Ahmedin Memcic from Begov Han.

Responding to a question from the prosecution, Ubiparipovic said he knew the defendant. He said the defendant used to be a military police officer in Kamenica.

“They said he hit them as well. Those detainees said that later on. Our men also said what he did was wrong. I didn’t see that,” Ubiparipovic said.

The prosecution gave up on the examination of a second witness who was expected to testify at this hearing, because he failed to appear in court.

The state prosecution presented 28 pieces of material evidence at today’s hearing. The defense didn’t object to any of the evidence presented.

The state prosecution is expected to complete its presentation of evidence at the next hearing. The state prosecution will examine its last witness and will read a statement given by a deceased witness.

The trial will continue on December 17.