Forensic Expert Describes Exhumation of Remains in Karacici
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The state prosecution has charged Radomir Markovic, Mile Kusic, Dragan Bozovic, Sasa Perkovic, Radomir Gluhovic, Pero Radovic, Ilija Vukasinovic and Milos Vukasinovic, with searching and pillaging houses in the villages of Karacici, Vragolovi and Golubovici in collaboration with a few other unidentified persons on September 18, 1992.
They allegedly found approximately 20 Bosniak civilians hiding in a garage in Karacici. According to the indictment, the defendants beat the civilians with rifle butts and then pushed them into a nearby barn, where they were killed.
According to the indictment, Markovic was the commander of the Socicka Company of the Rogaticka Brigade of the Bosnian Serb Army, while the other defendants were members of that unit.
Presenting his findings at today’s hearing, forensic expert Zdenko Cihlarz said he participated in an exhumation of mortal remains found next to Muhamed Pinjo’s burnt barn in Karacici in 2000. According to Cihlarz, the remains were processed at the Gorazde cantonal hospital’s morgue.
Cihlarz said he and his team found fragments of human bones in front of and inside the barn, adding that some parts of the bones were charred. He said bullets, a metal belt buckle, an artificial limb, broken eyeglasses and pieces of jewelry were also found at the site.
Cihlarz said he could determine that the remains belonged to at least four individuals, but added that none of the bodies were complete.
He said such mortal remains were hard to examine because they were charred and further damaged by animals in the area.
Cihlarz said the remains didn’t undergo DNA analysis. He said the bodies were identified based on statements given by family members, such as Behija Dobraca, Zahida Pinjo, Salih Pinjo and Latifa Pinjo.
He said fragments of bones and burnt fabrics were brought in by family members for examination later.
The trial will continue on January 19, 2016. Radomir Markovic’s defense will begin presenting evidence at the next hearing.
