Kladanj policeman saved Serbs in 1992.

During the trial for crimes committed in the Kladanj area, witnesses stated that the accused Ramiz Halilović "saved their lives" in May 1992 by helping them cross from Stupari to Serbian territory.

Witness Slavko Jurošević recounted that in May 1992, he and his cousin were traveling towards Bijeljina via Stupari (Kladanj municipality) to meet their families.

As he explained, they were stopped at a checkpoint in Hrastić by members of the Territorial Defense (TO), who, after checking their identification, did not allow them to pass and sent them back to Stupari.

- I immediately went to the police station in Stupari. I believed the police should protect us. We were received by policeman Ramiz Halilović, who got into a police car and escorted us to the checkpoint in Hrastić - explained witness Jurošević, adding that after persuading Ramiz, they were allowed to pass the checkpoint.

Witness Jurčević stated that he had never seen Ramiz before and did not know his name. He explained that after the war, he heard that Ramiz had problems "with his own people" because he helped them cross to Serbian territory.

- We didn't know each other, and he helped me. He helped me when I was in the most difficult situation. I heard he helped many Serbs cross to their territory. And he didn't take anything from anyone for that service. He told me then, 'It is my duty to save lives. And I will not forget that' - said Jurčević.

Halilović is on trial for crimes committed in the Kladanj area along with Safet Mujčinović, Selman Busnov, Nusret Muhić, Zijad Hamzić, Nedžad Hodžić, and Osman Gogić, former members of the civilian and military police, and the TO. They are accused of unlawful detention of Serb civilians in Stupari, as well as beating and inhumane treatment of them.

Mile Marković, also a defense witness for Halilović, recounted how the accused helped him leave Stupari for Serbian territory in May 1992.

- Ramiz escorted me and my neighbor to Serbian territory, to my village of Majdan, in his car. Before that, I knew Ramiz by sight, as a good and honest policeman - explained witness Marković.

He added that he had always heard good things about Ramiz and knew that he had helped many Serbs in that municipality to cross from one territory to another.

The trial continues on January 29, 2016, when the defense of Nedžad Hodžić will begin presenting its evidence, reported BIRN, relayed by the Patria news agency.