Prosecution seeks detention for four suspects for aiding in genocide, involved in killing 829 people

(Patria) - The State Prosecution has requested detention for four individuals suspected of aiding in the genocide in Srebrenica by participating as direct perpetrators in the killing of at least 829 prisoners in the Zvornik area in mid-July 1995, Detektor reports.

Prosecutor Tarik Crnkić stated that the motion for detention was filed for Rajko Milić, Miodrag Pavlović, Radenko Zarić, and Milan Tomić, who are suspected of participating in killings committed in Roćević and Kozluk on July 14 and 15, 1995. He added that detention is sought due to the risk of flight, suspicion of influencing witnesses or destroying evidence, and public unrest.

“Detention is a last resort, but we are convinced that it is the only measure, at least while the investigation is ongoing,” Crnkić added.

He also explained that this is the first case in which they are investigating individuals suspected of direct acts of depriving prisoners of life, and that most of the suspects performed support roles and voluntarily participated in the executions.

Regarding Rajko Milić, he stated that he was a record-keeper in the “Vukovi s Drine” unit and that at least three witnesses saw him participating in the killing of prisoners near the gravel pit in Kozluk all day, using an automatic rifle. He added that about 30 men participated in the killings, forcing prisoners to jump from trucks and then shooting them near a nearby pit.

He clarified that there were no survivors of this execution, and that locals and soldiers of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) will testify about this.

Speaking about Miodrag Pavlović, he stated that on July 15, he was seen near the school in Roćević holding a machete, and that witnesses heard him say that he would take revenge on the prisoners “for Kravica.” He added that witnesses saw him kill at least three people, and that he struck one person with a machete in the shoulder area, exposing their lungs.

Radenko Zarić is suspected of having accompanied prisoners from Bratunac to Roćević as a member of the Bratunac Military Police, where he voluntarily accepted the invitation of the unit commander to participate in the killings. He added that witnesses saw him participating in executions on July 14 and 15.

Regarding Milan Tomić, the prosecutor stated that one witness, who has known him his whole life, saw him shooting at prisoners jumping from a truck.

Crnkić added that Vukašin Drašković is also suspected in this investigation, but detention was not sought for him as he is currently serving a prison sentence for crimes against humanity committed in the village of Lokan near Zvornik in 1992.

He explained that they filed the motion for detention because there is a huge risk of flight, and that a large number of other suspects in this case are unavailable to judicial authorities, which is why warrants have been issued for them and a search is underway. He also added that they are seeking detention at least until the investigation is concluded.

Milić's defense stated that the motion is unfounded, that the Prosecution did not substantiate the risk of flight in its reasoning, and that he has previously testified in several cases before the State Court, which shows no intention to flee.

Therefore, they proposed that restrictive measures be imposed on Milić, prohibiting him from leaving his place of residence and contacting accomplices and witnesses, as well as confiscating his travel documents.

The defenses of the remaining three suspects requested the rejection of the Prosecution's motion, explaining that they believe the specific conditions for imposing detention have not been met.

Lawyer Rade Golić stated that he requests the rejection of the motion because his client Zarić has previously responded to the summonses of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a witness, and that he would lose his salary due to detention. Petko Pavlović, Tomić's defense attorney, added that in previous cases for the same crimes, detention was not imposed on the suspects, and that his client rarely leaves his place of residence.

Miodrag Pavlović's defense attorney also added that his client had previously testified about this event in the case against commander Aćimović, as well as in seven other cases.

Srećko Aćimović, former commander of the Second Battalion of the VRS Zvornik Brigade, was finally sentenced to seven years in prison for aiding in the genocide committed against Bosniaks from Srebrenica, for the confinement of Bosniak men – brought from the Srebrenica area – in the school in the village of Roćević, not far from Zvornik, and their subsequent killings on the banks of the Drina near Kozluk.

The Court will make a decision on the motion of the BiH Prosecution within the legally prescribed period.