War Crimes in Višegrad: He Watched from the Attic as His Half-Brother Was Taken Away

At the trial of Jovan Popović, accused of crimes committed in Višegrad, a witness for the BiH Prosecutor's Office stated that in 1992 his half-brother and brother-in-law were taken from Rodića Brdo, and he has not seen them since, BIRN reported, as carried by the Patria news agency.

Witness Jusuf Korać recalled the day when, as he said, the army entered the village and began searching for men. He described how he hid in the attic of his house, where his wife and children remained.

He said he peered between the roof tiles and saw a young man go to the house of his half-brother Rešad Mucovski, but then return. However, that young man, according to the witness, went back to the house and took his half-brother away.

- He returned from the street and took my brother towards the town - said Korać, adding that his brother-in-law Fadil Zukić was also taken at that time.

He said he heard his mother saying: “Jovan, don't take my son, he hasn't done anything.” After they left, the witness said he came down from the attic and talked to his mother about what had happened. He stated that she told him that the accused Jovan Popović had also gone after his brother and brother-in-law. The witness said he did not see the accused Popović that day.

- My mother knows best how it was. She died three years ago - added Korać.

Popović is accused of being part of a group of soldiers led by Milan Lukić who came to Rodića Brdo in mid-June 1992, took several civilians to the Višegrad police station, after which they were killed. For crimes committed in Višegrad, the Hague Tribunal sentenced Lukić to life imprisonment.

Witness Korać said he heard from his mother that she spoke with Popović on the same day. As he recounted, the mother asked the accused about her son, and he replied: “They were killed, not all of them made it to town.” The witness said that information turned out to be incorrect, as his brother and brother-in-law were taken to the police station in Višegrad.

- They were in the SUP for several days, then they disappeared - he stated.

The trial continues on October 7.