Former Republika Srpska Official Claims Bileca Detainees Weren’t Mistreated
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The state prosecution has charged Goran Vujovic, Miroslav Duka and Zeljko Ilic with the abuse of Bosniak and Croat civilians in Bileca during 1992.
According to the charges, Vujovic was the chief of the public safety station in Bileca, Duka was the station commander, while Ilic was a police officer.
Slobodan Avlijas, a former officer at the Ministry of Justice of Republika Srpska, testified at today’s hearing. Avlijas said he first visited the military barracks when he arrived to Bileca. He was told that no more detainees were held in the barracks following a prisoner exchange.
Avlijas said he also visited the police station in Bileca, where Goran Vujovic told him more detainees were being held in the student dormitory.
Avlijas said he discovered there were some detainees at the police station as well. Avlijas said a colleague of his stayed at the police station, while a police officer accompanied him to the student dormitory.
“I asked the policeman to let me enter the building and speak to the detainees. I stayed for an hour,” Avlijas said.
He said the detainees were held in one big room, with access to a toilet and a bathroom. He described seeing palettes and beds, as well as sheets. He said the detainees told him that women brought them food.
When asked if the detainees showed any signs of mistreatment, Avlijas said “Nobody complained to me. I did not notice any injuries on them.”
Following his visit, Avlijas said he wrote a report on the facility to the Minister of Justice of Republika Srpska, who then forwarded the information to the central government.
Vujovic’s defense also presented material evidence at today’s hearing. Defense attorney Milenko Vojo Radovic said the evidence indicated that detainees held in the student dormitory and old prison building in Bileca could communicate with their families through the International Red Cross.
The defense also presented a list of weapons confiscated from the Bosniak population in the area.
The prosecution objected to the relevance and authenticity of the evidence, except for statements given by two witnesses which had previously been filed as state prosecution evidence.
The trial will continue on December 28.
