Witness Describes Assault and Killing of Detainees in Kalinovik

Zoran Bjelica and Novica Tripkovic, former members of the Bosnian Serb Army, have been charged with participating in the murder and torture of Bosniak civilians detained in the Miladin Radojevic school building in Kalinovik in August 1992. According to the charges, Suad Hasanbegovic was one of the civilians who were killed during their detention.

Testifying in defense of Tripkovic, protected witness S-5 said she was detained in the school building in Kalinovik in August 1992 and that Suad Hasanbegovic was held in the same room as her.

“A man came one evening and beat Suad up. His last name was Govedarica and he was from Gacko. He used to bring his son with him. He was 13 or 14 years old. He took him to the first floor one evening. When he [Hasanbegovic] came back, he said Govedarica beat him up,” S-5 said.

S-5 said Govedarica came to the school again and took Hasanbegovic to the first floor.

“We heard two gunshots. Later on the guards wouldn’t let us go to the toilet or the corridor. I was on my way to the toilet and saw them carrying a man wrapped in a blanket downstairs. A car was parked in front of the school. They loaded him into the car. The guard who was there said Suad was killed,” S-5 said

S-5 said Govedarica carried a rifle which had the word “Vojvoda” [Duke] written on it.

“He introduced himself and said he was from Gacko,” S-5 said. She said she remembered his last name because it was “strong.”

The prosecution asked S-5 whether any young men were taken out of their cells and beaten in the school building, and whether she knew what happened to them. S-5 said she heard that a man who suffered from diabetes passed away at the school.

“I heard there was a young man upstairs who suffered from diabetes. They beat him, put him in a trough. He died,” S-5 said.

The last hearing in this case was held on July 15, 2015. The procedures related to protection measures granted to S-5 by the Hague Tribunal have been respected in the meantime. She testified in a separate cabin with her voice and face altered.

Since more than 30 days have passed since the last hearing, the trial formally began again. Both the prosecution and defense agreed not to reexamine witnesses who have already testified.

The trial will continue on February 10.