Witness Describes Forced Labour and Assault of Bosniak Civilians in Sanski Most
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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 from 1992 to 1994.
The indictment alleges that Goran Mrdja beat a civilian named Sefer Drobic in a dug-out at the Grabez. He is also charged with assaulting a civilian named Omer Drobic.
State prosecution witness Besim Islamcevic testified at today’s hearing. Islamcevic said a part of the Bosniak population had left the Sanski Most area with a convoy after armed battles started and barricades were set up at the beginning of May 1992.
“At that time the Serb population began inhabiting Bosniak houses. Among others, Mr. Kinez moved into Muharem Drobic’s house near the local cultural center,” Islamcevic said.
Islamcevic said he heard from his neighbour, Omer Drobic, that his family had been mistreated.
Islamcevic said he and other civilians began performing forced labour for the Bosnian Serb Army in 1993.
“We went to the battlefield in Gradacac, but also in Bihac. We used to carry water and lunch, dig trenches, carry the wounded and dead,” Islamcevic said.
He said many of his neighbours were members of the same work squad and that he and a few others were beaten up at the Grabez battlefield.
“He performed civil duties. An adolescent boy, Sefer Drobic was there as well…Sefer told me Kinez had beaten him, so he was scared. He also seemed depressed. He had bruises and his face was dark,” Islamcevic said.
Islamcevic was asked why he had failed to mention this conversation in a statement he gave to the state prosecution in 2014. Islamcevic said he had mentioned it, but the state prosecution hadn’t written it down correctly.
Islamcevic said he didn’t personally know Goran Mrdja, who he referred to as Kinez, but said that others pointed him out on one occasion.
“I heard he was inclined to violent and abnormal behaviour,” Islamcevic said.
The trial will continue on December 21.
