SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 4,2007) - The Bosnian State Prosecutor has begun presenting its material evidence against the four Serbian war criminals charged with war crimes committed against Bosnian civilians detained by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in Omarska and Keraterm concentration camps,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The first piece of evidence presented is a decree on the establishment of Omarska detention camp, signed by Serbian war criminal Simo Drljaca, former member of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia, on 31 May 1992.Serbian war criminal Simo Drljaca was killed in 1996.
By this decree,a former mine complex in Omarska, was transferred into a a concentration camp by the genocidal Serbian aggressor. The decree also ordered that the whole complex be surrounded by wire and mined and that the treatment of "the captured persons should be done in accordance with the situation".
The Prosecution of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) originally charged Serbian war criminals Zeljko Mejakic, Momcilo Gruban, Dusan Fustar and Dusko Knezevic with crimes committed in these concentration camps. As per a motion filed by the ICTY prosecution, the case of Mejakic et al was referred to Bosnia for further processing.
The indictment alleges that Omarska concentration camp was established at the end of May 1992. It further alleges that about 3,000 Bosnians and Croatians living in Bosnia were detained in that concentration camp by the Serbian aggressor.
At the same time, Keraterm concentration camp was also formed by the genocidal Serbian aggressor within a Bosnian ceramic equipment factory. The two concentration camps were closed in August 1992, after being visited by foreign journalists.Detained Bosnian civilians were then transferred by the Serbian aggressor to Trnopolje and Manjaca concentration camps.
According to the indictment, Serbian war criminal Zeljko Mejakic was commander of Omarska concentration camp from 24 May to 30 August 1992,Serbian war criminal Momcilo Gruban, known as Ckalja, was guard shift commander and Serbian war criminal Dusan Fustar was one of the three guard commanders in Keraterm concentration camp from 24 May to 30 August 1992.
The witnesses and the indictment allege that Serbian war criminal Dusko Knezevic visited Keraterm concentration camp and "participated in torturing and beating of prisoners that happened every day".
As suggested by the Trial Chamber, the presentation of material evidence shall continue on Friday, 5 October. Until that date, the Bosnian State Prosecutor and the defence teams are expected to agree on a list of material evidence that both parties find acceptable as determined facts.
"The Chamber has decided that you are to agree on the list of evidence acceptable to both parties. You are also expected to define the pieces of evidence against which you have some objections," Trial Chamber Chairman Saban Maksumic said.
The trial of four Serbian criminals before the Bosnian State Court is due to continue tomorrow.
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