Dudaković and others: From prisoner to minister's advisor

The trial of General Atif Dudaković and others continued in the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the examination of witnesses for the state prosecution.  The first witness was Radojka Kovačević, whose examination was brief, while the second witness was a former member of the Army of Republika Srpska, who was imprisoned with Drago Zorić in Bosanski Petrovac. After the war, Zorić remained in Bihać, and shortly thereafter became the assistant cantonal minister for economic affairs in the Ministry of Industry and Mining. The witness could not recall what Zorić did afterwards. 

Until September 14, 1995, Radojka Kovačević lived in the village of Lastve, near Bosanski Petrovac. She says she left the village with her husband, but her father-in-law stayed behind and they never found him. Her son, she says, was in Banja Luka in the regular army at the time. 

"When we were supposed to leave, we left. It was September 14. We had to leave because we had a warrant from the Muslims and we had to leave," Kovačević said in the courtroom.

The second witness who testified before the BiH Court in this case was Mile Ribić, a former member of the VRS. He spoke about the circumstances during his capture in Bosanski Petrovac, when they were digging up bodies in Bosanski Petrovac and near Krnjeuša.

"Most of those bodies had military uniforms on, and they were all men," Ribić said.

He stated on this occasion that the police were correct towards him and all other prisoners and that they even had movement cards for Bosanski Petrovac, but he said it was not a time for movement.

Ribić's testimony about his captivity does not concern this case, claims the defense, especially the part relating to the police. Lawyer Ifet Feraget claims that the record is from another investigation.   
"So the witness was heard in another investigation, and if prosecutor Mijović claims that it is an investigation conducted in this case. Unfortunately, we have not yet received those materials, so I cannot speak about it in detail. But the President of the Panel accepted all the defense's objections," explained the lawyer.

Two months ago, lawyer Feraget inspected the material evidence held by the BiH Prosecutor's Office. On that occasion, he marked certain pieces of evidence that the Prosecutor's Office was supposed to forward to him. It is reportedly extensive material. 

"There are two obligations of the Prosecutor's Office. To establish facts and circumstances that support the accused, and unfortunately, the Prosecutor's Office does not do that, even though it is a legal obligation. The second thing is the Prosecutor's Office's obligation to make absolutely all evidence available. The defense estimates when, whether... will use that evidence," stated Feraget.

The next hearing in the case of Atif Dudaković and others is scheduled for February 3. In addition to General Dudaković, 11 other members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina are accused, suspected of crimes against humanity committed in the areas of the municipalities of Bosanski Petrovac, Ključ, Bosanska Krupa, and Sanski Most, as well as surrounding villages.