THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
THE PROSECUTOR OF THE TRIBUNAL
AGAINST
JADRANKO PRLIC
BRUNO STOJIC
SLOBODAN PRALJAK
MILIVOJ PETKOVIC
VALENTIN CORIC
and BERISLAV PUSIC
INDICTMENT
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia, pursuant to her authority under Article 18 of the Statute
of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (the "Tribunal Statute"),
charges:
JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC,
SLOBODAN PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC,
VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC
with Crimes Against Humanity, Grave Breaches of the Geneva
Conventions and Violations of the Laws or Customs of War, as follows:
THE ACCUSED
- The Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna declared its existence on 18 November
1991 as a political and territorial entity on the territory of what was then
the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("SRBiH"). In August 1993,
the Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna declared itself the Croatian Republic
of Herceg-Bosna, and this entity, in both its forms, is hereafter referenced
as "Herceg-Bosna." Mate Boban was the President of the Croatian Community
of Herceg-Bosna from its inception, and continued as President of the Croatian
Republic of Herceg-Bosna, until approximately February 1994. By actions taken
on 8 April 1992 and 15 May 1992, various Herceg-Bosna leaders, including Mate
Boban, established the Croatian Defence Council ("HVO") as Herceg-Bosna's
armed forces and government, describing the HVO as Herceg-Bosna's "supreme"
executive, administrative and defence body.
- JADRANKO PRLIC, son of Mile, was born on 10 June 1959 in Djakovo,
in the Socialist Republic of Croatia. He graduated from the Economics Faculty
in Mostar, in the SRBiH, and obtained his master's and doctor’s degrees at
the Economics Faculty in Sarajevo. He served for a time as President of the
Executive Council of Mostar Municipality. In 1989, he became the Vice-President
of the Government of the SRBiH and, in late 1990, he became its acting President.
On 15 May 1992, Mate Boban appointed JADRANKO PRLIC head of the HVO Department
of Finance, and on 14 August 1992, Mate Boban appointed JADRANKO PRLIC President
of Herceg-Bosna's supreme executive, administrative and defence body -- the
HVO. After the Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna became the Croatian Republic
of Herceg-Bosna in late August 1993, JADRANKO PRLIC's title or position changed
from President to Prime Minister (with his functions remaining largely the
same). He continued in this position through the time covered by this indictment.
- For most of 1992-1993, JADRANKO PRLIC was, other than Mate Boban, the most
powerful official in the Herceg-Bosna/HVO political and governmental structures,
and, by late 1993, he effectively eclipsed Mate Boban. As President, JADRANKO
PRLIC had de jure and/or de facto power, effective control
and/or substantial influence over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO government and military.
He directed the work of and was responsible for the HVO government, including
military matters. He signed decisions and decrees that comprised the HVO's
official policy. JADRANKO PRLIC had the power to appoint and dismiss persons
in positions of significant authority in the civilian, military and judicial
organs of Herceg-Bosna and the HVO. He also possessed authority to close Herceg-Bosna/HVO
prisons and concentration camps.
- BRUNO STOJIC, son of Zarko, was born on 8 April 1955 in the village
of Hamzici, in Citluk Municipality, in the SRBiH. He has a degree in Economics.
After multiparty elections in 1990, BRUNO STOJIC was named an Assistant Minister
of the Interior (or Internal Affairs) in the SRBiH central government, in
Sarajevo. BRUNO STOJIĆ was a member of the principal Croat nationalist
political party in the SRBiH and later the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
known as the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("HDZ-BiH").
On 18 September 1991, he was listed as a member of the party’s newly-formed
Crisis Staff, which would become the core of the HVO's military arm. On 3
July 1992, Mate Boban named BRUNO STOJIC head of the HVO Department (later
Ministry) of Defence, and he remained in this position until November 1993.
On 16 December 1993, BRUNO STOJIC was named Head of the Croatian Republic
of Herceg-Bosna's Office for the Production and Sales of Weapons and Military
Equipment.
- As head of the HVO Department (later Ministry) of Defence, BRUNO STOJIC
was that body's top political and management official, in charge of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces. He exercised de jure and/or de facto power,
effective control and substantial influence over all parts and branches of
such forces' operations. His areas of authority and responsibility included,
among others, the following areas: security, including the work of the HVO
Military Police and an HVO intelligence service known as the Security and
Information Service ("SIS"); moral education, which included Information and
Propaganda; defence-related health, medical and sanitation services, which
were responsible for conditions and services in the Herceg-Bosna/HVO prisons
and detention facilities; and military production and logistics. It was part
of his responsibility to ensure that all Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces conduct themselves
in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law
and that all prisoners, detainees and other persons held by Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces be treated in compliance with such conventions and law. BRUNO STOJIC
had authority to appoint and dismiss HVO military commanders up to the level
of brigade commander. He could and did issue organisational, strategic and
combat orders. He exercised authority and effective control over HVO prisons
and detention facilities, in whole or part, through the HVO Military Police
and the head of such police, VALENTIN CORIC.
- SLOBODAN PRALJAK, also known as "Brada," son of Mirko, was born on
1 or 2 January 1945, in the town of Capljina, in Capljina Municipality, SRBiH.
After studying in Zagreb, he worked as a theatrical, film and television producer
and a lecturer in philosophy, psychology and electrical engineering. In the
early summer of 1991, he joined the Army of the Republic of Croatia and, by
3 April 1992, held the rank of major general in the Croatian Army. On about
14 March 1992, SLOBODAN PRALJAK became Assistant Minister of Defence for the
Republic of Croatia, and worked closely with the Minister of Defence, Gojko
Susak. On 10 September 1992, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman appointed SLOBODAN
PRALJAK to be one of fourteen members of the Republic of Croatia's Council
of National Defence, and he remained in this position until at least 15 June
1993. On 13 May 1993, SLOBODAN PRALJAK was named to the Republic of Croatia's
state commission for relations with the United Nations Protection Force ("UNPROFOR").
- From approximately March 1992 to July 1993, SLOBODAN PRALJAK served simultaneously
as a senior Croatian Army officer, Assistant Minister of Defence and senior
representative of the Croatian Ministry of Defence to the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
government and armed forces. He served as a conduit for orders, communications
and instructions from President Franjo Tudjman, Gojko Susak and other senior
officials of the Republic of Croatia to the Herceg-Bosna/HVO government and
armed forces, and reported to and kept Croatia's senior officials informed
of developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During this period, SLOBODAN PRALJAK
played a prominent role in securing weapons and ammunition for the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces. He directly and indirectly commanded Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
and operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From approximately 24 July 1993
to 9 November 1993, SLOBODAN PRALJAK served as the top overall military commander
of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces.
- In his various positions and functions, SLOBODAN PRALJAK exercised de
jure and/or de facto command and control over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces. At times relevant to the indictment, he exercised effective
control and substantial influence over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces (including
the operative zone commanders). He was responsible for the management, organization,
planning, preparation, training, discipline, supply, deployment and operations
of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces. He issued organisational, strategic
and combat orders. It was part of his responsibility to ensure that all Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces conduct themselves in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and international
humanitarian law and that all prisoners, detainees and other persons held
by Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces be treated in compliance with such conventions
and law. SLOBODAN PRALJAK also had command authority over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
civilian police, when they acted under or in co-ordination with the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces during times of armed conflict. He was closely involved in all
aspects of Herceg-Bosna/HVO military planning and operations.
- MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, son of Jerko, was born on 11 October 1949 in Sibenik,
Socialist Republic of Croatia. MILIVOJ PETKOVIC graduated from the military
academy of the Yugoslav National Army ("JNA") and held the rank of lieutenant-colonel
when he left the JNA on or about 25 July 1991 and joined the Croatian Army.
On or about 14 April 1992, Croatian Army General Janko Bobetko assigned MILIVOJ
PETKOVIC to the command of the Croatian Army's forward command center in the
town of Grude, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was or became the top command
staff of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces. From April 1992 until about 24
July 1993, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC served as the overall commander of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces, as "Chief of the HVO Main Staff." When SLOBODAN PRALJAK was
named the top HVO commander on or about 24 July 1993, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC continued
as one of the very top Herceg-Bosna/HVO commanders. On or about 26 April 1994,
MILIVOJ PETKOVIC was again named the overall HVO commander, and he remained
in this position until about 5 August 1994.
- In his various positions and functions, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC exercised de
jure and/or de facto command and control over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces. At times relevant to the indictment, he exercised effective
control and substantial influence over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces (including
the operative zone commanders). He was responsible for the management, organization,
planning, preparation, training, discipline, supply and deployment and operations
of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces. He issued organisational, strategic
and combat orders. It was part of his responsibility to ensure that all Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces conduct themselves in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and international
humanitarian law and that all prisoners, detainees and other persons held
by Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces be treated in compliance with such conventions
and law. MILIVOJ PETKOVIC also had command authority over the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
civilian police, when they acted under or in co-ordination with the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
armed forces during times of armed conflict. He was closely involved in all
aspects of Herceg-Bosna/HVO military planning and operations.
- VALENTIN CORIC, son of Andrija, was born on 23 June 1956 in the village
of Paoca, in Citluk Municipality, in the SRBiH. He has a degree in engineering
and served as Maintenance Director of the Bauxite Mines in Citluk. After joining
the HDZ-BiH, VALENTIN CORIC became a member of the Citluk Municipal Staff,
where he became involved in military matters and obtaining weapons and equipment.
VALENTIN CORIC was later named commander of the military training center at
Krvavice, in the Republic of Croatia, where some eight hundred soldiers from
Herceg-Bosna were trained. In April 1992, Mate Boban appointed VALENTIN CORIC
Deputy for Security and Commander of the HVO Military Police. His position
was later titled "Chief of the Military Police Administration" (within the
HVO Department, later Ministry, of Defence), and he continued in this position
until 20 November 1993. On or about 20 November 1993, VALENTIN CORIC was appointed
Minister of Interior in the Croatian Republic of Herceg-Bosna.
- In his various positions and functions, VALENTIN CORIC, from at least April
1992 to late 1993, played a central role in the establishment, administration
and operation of the HVO Military Police. He had de jure and/or de
facto command and control of the HVO Military Police, which regularly
played important roles in administering Herceg-Bosna/HVO prisons and detention
facilities (including the release and transfer of prisoners and detainees)
and in combat and ethnic cleansing operations. VALENTIN CORIC exercised effective
control and substantial influence over the HVO Military Police, and had the
authority and responsibility to command and discipline members of the HVO
Military Police. It was part of his responsibility to ensure that all Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces, including the Military Police, conduct themselves in accordance with
the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law and that all prisoners,
detainees and other persons held by Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces be treated in
compliance with such conventions and law. It was also part of the duties of
the Military Police, which VALENTIN CORIC commanded, to investigate alleged
crimes by Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces.
- BERISLAV PUSIC, also known as "Berto" or "Berko," son of Andrija,
was born on 8 June 1952, in the town of Mostar, in Mostar Municipality, in
the SRBiH. In 1992, BERISLAV PUSIC became an officer in the HVO Military Police
in Mostar, and held a command position in the Military Police in 1993. By
an order dated 22 April 1993, VALENTIN CORIC assigned BERISLAV PUSIC to act
on behalf of the HVO Military Police in exchanging Bosnian Muslim detainees
held by the HVO. On 11 May 1993, BRUNO STOJIC appointed BERISLAV PUSIC as
an HVO liaison officer to UNPROFOR. On 5 July 1993, JADRANKO PRLIC appointed
BERISLAV PUSIC as Head of the Service for the Exchange of Prisoners and Other
Persons. On 6 August 1993, BRUNO STOJIC appointed BERISLAV PUSIC as president
of the commission to take charge of all Herceg-Bosna/HVO prisons and detention
facilities holding prisoners of war and detainees. During 1993, BERISLAV PUSIC
was also president of the HVO Commission for Exchange of Prisoners.
- As a result of his various positions and functions, BERISLAV PUSIC was an
instrumental, high-level official in the Herceg-Bosna/HVO system concerning
the detention, use, release, exchange, transfer and deportation of Bosnian
Muslims. Based on his de jure and/or de facto powers, he exercised
effective control and substantial influence over various components and personnel
in this system. It was part of his responsibility to classify and process
Muslim detainees in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and international
humanitarian law. BERISLAV PUSIC issued orders and decisions, signed authorisations
and gave instructions for the handling of Bosnian Muslim detainees, which
controlled their continued detention and/or their transfer or deportation
to other areas or countries.
THE JOINT CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE
- From on or before 18 November 1991 to about April 1994 and thereafter, various
persons established and participated in a joint criminal enterprise to politically
and militarily subjugate, permanently remove and ethnically cleanse Bosnian
Muslims and other non-Croats who lived in areas on the territory of the Republic
of Bosnia and Herzegovina which were claimed to be part of the Croatian Community
(and later Republic) of Herceg-Bosna, and to join these areas as part of a
"Greater Croatia," whether in the short-term or over time and whether as part
of the Republic of Croatia or in close association with it, by force, fear
or threat of force, persecution, imprisonment and detention, forcible transfer
and deportation, appropriation and destruction of property and other means,
which constituted or involved the commission of crimes which are punishable
under Articles 2, 3, and 5 of the Tribunal Statute. The territorial ambition
of the joint criminal enterprise was to establish a Croatian territory with
the borders of the Croatian Banovina, a territorial entity that existed from
1939 to 1941. It was part of the joint criminal enterprise to engineer the
political and ethnic map of these areas so that they would be Croat-dominated,
both politically and demographically.
- Numerous persons participated in this joint criminal enterprise. Each participant,
by his or her acts, omissions, practices or conduct, both individually and
in concert with or through other persons, substantially contributed to carrying
out the enterprise and accomplishing its purpose. The following persons, among
others, participated in the joint criminal enterprise: Franjo Tudjman (deceased,
10 December 1999), the President of the Republic of Croatia; Gojko Šusak (deceased,
3 May 1998), the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia; Janko Bobetko
(deceased, 29 April 2003), a senior General in the Army of the Republic of
Croatia; Mate Boban (deceased, 8 July 1997), President of the Croatian Community
(and Republic) of Herceg-Bosna; JADRANKO PRLIC; BRUNO STOJIC; SLOBODAN PRALJAK;
MILIVOJ PETKOVIC; VALENTIN CORIC; BERISLAV PUSIC; various other officials
and members of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO government and political structures, at
all levels (including in municipal governments and local organisations); various
leaders and members of the Croatian Democratic Union ("HDZ") and Croatian
Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("HDZ-BiH"), at all levels; various
members of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces, special units, military and
civilian police, security and intelligence services, paramilitaries, local
defence forces and other persons acting under the supervision of or in co-ordination
or association with such armed forces, police and other elements; various
members of the armed forces, police, security and intelligence services of
the Republic of Croatia; and other persons, both known and unknown. These
persons led, directed, planned, prepared, encouraged, promoted, instigated,
ordered, committed, carried out, facilitated, participated in, contributed
to, supported and otherwise acted in furtherance of the joint criminal enterprise.
- Each of the accused -- JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN PRALJAK, MILIVOJ
PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC -- acting individually and through
the positions and powers described above, and in concert with other members
of the joint criminal enterprise, participated as leaders in the joint criminal
enterprise in one or more of the following ways:
- establishing, organising, directing, funding, facilitating, supporting,
maintaining and/or operating Herceg-Bosna/HVO governmental and political structures
and processes (or various elements thereof), including governmental or state-like
powers over the control of housing and property, the status of refugees and
displaced persons, the provision of public services and humanitarian assistance,
restrictions on freedom of movement, and the exchange of prisoners, which
were used to pursue and implement the joint criminal enterprise;
- establishing, organising, commanding, ordering, directing, funding, facilitating,
participating in, supporting, maintaining and/or operating the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
military, police, intelligence and other forces through which the objectives
of the joint criminal enterprise were pursued and implemented and by which
various crimes charged in this indictment, such as killing, forcible transfer
and destruction of property, were committed;
- initiating, promoting, planning, preparing, participating in, supporting
and/or encouraging the development, formulation, dissemination and/or implementation
of Herceg-Bosna/HVO political, governmental and/or military policies, programs,
plans, decrees, decisions, regulations, strategies or tactics which were used
as bases or vehicles for various actions against or to the disadvantage of
Bosnian Muslims, such as depriving them of fundamental human rights, housing,
property and/or humanitarian assistance, as part of the joint criminal enterprise;
- instigating, supporting, encouraging, facilitating and/or participating
in the dissemination of information and propaganda to Bosnian Croats that
was intended to advance the joint criminal enterprise, by engendering in Bosnian
Croats fear, hatred and mistrust of Bosnian Muslims, or to gain support and
participation in the joint criminal enterprise, such as information that Bosnian
Croats were at imminent risk of oppression and extermination at the hands
of Bosnian Muslims, that various territories on which Bosnian Muslims resided
were Croatian territory, and that Mostar was the rightful capital of Herceg-Bosna;
- planning, instigating, commanding, directing, participating in, facilitating
or supporting the HVO takeover of various municipal governments and efforts
to "Croatise" the Bosnian Muslim and other non-Croat population in areas which
the Herceg-Bosna/HVO leaders claimed were part of Herceg-Bosna.
- encouraging, controlling, funding, facilitating, assisting and/or participating
in the production, acquisition or distribution of military equipment, arms,
ammunition, funds, logistical support and other means which were used to advance
the joint criminal enterprise;
- requesting, obtaining, arranging, facilitating and/or co-ordinating the
participation and assistance of elements of the Republic of Croatia government,
armed forces, police and intelligence services, including funding and logistical
support, in furtherance of the joint criminal enterprise;
- establishing, organising, directing, funding, facilitating, supporting,
participating in, maintaining and/or operating a system of Herceg-Bosna/HVO
prisons, concentration camps and other detention facilities which were used
to imprison and detain Bosnian Muslims as part of and in furtherance of the
joint criminal enterprise;
- establishing, organising, directing, funding, facilitating, supporting,
participating in, maintaining and/or operating a system for the deportation
or forcible transfer of Bosnian Muslims to other countries or parts of Bosnia
and Herzegovina which were not claimed or controlled by Herceg-Bosna, as part
of and in furtherance of the joint criminal enterprise;
- ordering, instigating, promoting, encouraging, facilitating and/or implementing
the systematic use by Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces of Bosnian Muslim detainees
for unlawful forced labour;
- promoting, instigating, encouraging and condoning the commission of crimes
against Bosnian Muslims by failing to report and/or investigate crimes or
alleged crimes against them, to follow up on such investigations, and/or to
punish or discipline subordinates and others in the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and forces for crimes committed against Bosnian Muslims or other non-Croats;
and
- engaging in, encouraging, facilitating or supporting efforts to deny, conceal
and/or minimise crimes committed by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities and forces
against Bosnian Muslims or other non-Croats, including the provision of false,
incomplete or misleading information to international organisations, monitors,
investigators and the public.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
- The events alleged in this indictment occurred as part of the dissolution
of the former Yugoslavia. The Republic of Croatia declared its independence
on 25 June 1991. By September 1991, the Republic of Croatia was at war with
nationalist Serb forces attempting to incorporate parts of Croatia into a
"Greater Serbia." A United Nations peace agreement ended the war in Croatia
in January 1992, after Serb forces had taken control of about one-fourth to
one-third of the Republic of Croatia's territory. The European Community recognised
the Republic of Croatia as an independent State on 15 January 1992 and the
United Nations admitted Croatia as a member-State on 22 May 1992.
- The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("Bosnia and Herzegovina") was recognised
by the European Community as an independent State on 6 April 1992, and admitted
as a member-State of the United Nations on 22 May 1992. By the spring of 1992,
Bosnian Serb forces had already begun an armed campaign to dismember the fledgling
country and expel Muslims and Croats from territory claimed as Greater Serbia.
- The ruling party in the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Democratic Union
(the "HDZ"), organised and controlled the branch of the party in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the HDZ-BiH. By the latter part of 1991, the more extreme nationalist
elements of the HDZ-BiH, under the leadership of Mate Boban, Dario Kordic
and others, with the support of Franjo Tudjman and Gojko Susak, had taken
effective control of the party.
- On 18 November 1991, the more extreme nationalist elements of the HDZ-BiH,
led by Mate Boban and Dario Kordic, proclaimed the existence of the Croatian
Community of Herceg-Bosna, as a separate "political, cultural, economic and
territorial whole," on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 28 August
1993, the Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna declared itself the Croatian
Republic of Herceg-Bosna. (As stated earlier, this entity, whether as the
"Community" or "Republic," is referenced hereafter as "Herceg-Bosna.") Neither
the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina nor the international community ever
recognised Herceg-Bosna as a State. The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and
Herzegovina declared Herceg-Bosna illegal, first on or about 14 September
1992 and again on 20 January 1994.
- According to Article 2 of the 18 November 1991 Decision on the Establishment
of the Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna, Herceg-Bosna consisted of the following
municipalities in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Jajce, Kresevo,
Busovaca, Vitez, Novi Travnik, Travnik, Kiseljak, Fojnica, Kakanj, Vares,
Kotor Varos, Tomislavgrad, Livno, Kupres, Bugojno, Gornji Vakuf, Prozor, Konjic,
Jablanica, Posusje, Mostar, Siroki Brijeg, Grude, Ljubuski, Citluk, Capljina,
Neum, Stolac and parts of Skender Vakuf (Dobretici) and Trebinje (Ravno).
By virtue of Article 4 of the same Decision, the municipality of Zepce was
added to Herceg-Bosna in about October 1992.
- In the course of and as part of the joint criminal enterprise, the leaders
and other members of the enterprise, including Franjo Tudjman, Mate Boban
and JADRANKO PRLIC, pursued a two-track policy toward the Republic of Bosnia
and Herzegovina and its territory. On the one hand, the leaders and various
members of the joint criminal enterprise often claimed publicly to support
the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina (sometimes hereafter "BiH Government")
and an independent and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the other hand,
and less publicly but more substantially, the leaders and other members of
the enterprise pursued their objective of a Greater Croatia, along the lines
of the Croatian Banovina. In a similar fashion, while Franjo Tudjman and other
Croatian officials sometimes made efforts to distance themselves, at least
publicly, from the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities, they generally worked closely
together behind-the-scenes and in their dealings with the international community
and media.
- During a meeting in Zagreb on 27 December 1991, Franjo Tudjman summarised
the joint criminal enterprise's objective, saying: "SICt is time that we take
the opportunity to gather the Croatian people inside the widest possible borders."
In a meeting on 17 September 1992, Franjo Tudjman told other leaders of the
joint criminal enterprise, including Gojko Susak, Mate Boban and JADRANKO
PRLIC, after first discussing the Croatian Banovina, that it was in the "vital
interest" of the Croatian state "that we secure our position, in the national
and territorial sense, in Bosnia and Herzegovina."
- By a decision dated 8 April 1992, leaders and members of the joint criminal
enterprise, including Mate Boban, established the Croatian Defence Council
(the "HVO"), as Herceg-Bosna's "supreme defence body," "to defend the sovereignty
of the territories of the Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna." On 15 May 1992,
the HVO was likewise declared Herceg-Bosna's "supreme executive and administrative
body," combining political, governmental and military powers. While
the self-proclaimed political entity and its territory were referred to as
"Herceg-Bosna," the government and armed forces of Herceg-Bosna were called
the "Croatian Defence Council" or "HVO." The governmental and political leadership
and administrative authorities of Herceg-Bosna and the HVO (the "Herceg-Bosna/HVO
leadership" or "Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities") were in charge of, and worked
closely with the Herceg-Bosna/HVO armed forces, special units, military and
civilian police, security and intelligence services, paramilitaries, local
defence forces and other persons acting under the supervision of or in co-ordination
or association with such armed forces, police and other elements ("Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces"). While not every member of the HVO or the HDZ-BiH was part of the
joint criminal enterprise, Herceg-Bosna, the HVO and the HDZ-BiH were essential
structures and instruments of the joint criminal enterprise.
- Following Herceg-Bosna's establishment in November 1991, and especially
from May 1992 forward, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO leadership (including the accused
and other leaders and members of the joint criminal enterprise) engaged in
continuing and co-ordinated efforts to dominate and "Croatise" the municipalities
which they claimed were part of Herceg-Bosna, with increasing persecution
and discrimination directed against the Bosnian Muslim population. The HVO
took control of many municipal governments and services, removing or marginalising
local Bosnian Muslim leaders. Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities and forces took
control of the media and imposed Croatian ideas and propaganda. Croatian symbols
and currency were introduced, and Croatian curricula and the "Croatian language"
were introduced in schools. Many Bosnian Muslims were removed from positions
in government and private business; humanitarian aid was managed and distributed
to the Muslims' disadvantage; and Muslims in general were increasingly harassed.
- In the spring and early summer of 1992, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and forces, while asserting their control and engaging in the actions described
above, carried out military operations with armed forces of the Government
of Bosnia and Herzegovina in response to JNA and Bosnian Serb military actions
in Herzegovina and elsewhere. In connection with or following the Serb forces
leaving Mostar, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO-led forces destroyed the city's Serbian
Orthodox Church and nearby Serb houses. Many Serbs left Mostar during this
time, while others were held in poor conditions in HVO-run detention camps.
- Despite some co-operation in the spring and summer of 1992, tensions between
the Herceg-Bosna/HVO structures and Bosnian Muslims continued and increased
over time. Significant violence broke out between the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
and Bosnian Muslims on 19 October 1992 in Novi Travnik, the site of an important
munitions factory, and in the course of several days thereafter, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces cleansed most of the Muslims from the town of Prozor and several surrounding
villages.
- In January 1993, United Nations and European Community peace negotiators
met in Geneva with Croat, Serb and Muslim representatives and discussed a
proposed peace agreement, known as the Vance-Owen Peace Plan, which would
maintain a single, unified Bosnia and Herzegovina with a central government
and ten numbered provinces. While neither the Serbs nor Muslims had agreed
to the Vance-Owen proposals by mid-January 1993, Franjo Tudjman, Gojko Susak
and the Herceg-Bosna/HVO leadership (including the accused) found the plan,
as they envisioned and interpreted it, much to their favour -- essentially
giving them the Croatian Banovina and even additional territory, covered by
the proposed Vance-Owen provinces 3, 8 and 10, despite the fact that many
of the areas included in these provinces had majority or at least equal Muslim
populations and were controlled or occupied by the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- At a meeting in Zagreb on 15 January 1993, Franjo Tudjman, Gojko Susak and
Mate Boban failed to convince Bosnia and Herzegovina's President, Alija Izetbegovic,
to accept their views and immediately set out to implement their plans without
the agreement of the BiH Government or the international peace negotiators.
On the same day, the HVO President, JADRANKO PRLIC, signed a Decision that
"SaCll units of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina which at this moment are
stationed in provinces 3, 8 and 10, which have been declared Croatian provinces
in the Geneva accords, shall be subordinated to the Command of the Main Staff
of the HVO Armed Forces. . . . The deadline for implementing this Decision
is hereby set at five (5) days, starting from today, 15 January 1993."
- Despite the fact that neither the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina nor
the international peace negotiators had agreed to the unilateral implementation
of their views of the Vance-Owen proposals, Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities and
forces, with the passage of the 15 January 1993 deadline and around that time,
took military and violent actions to enforce the ultimatum, attacking and
pressing the Muslims at a number of locations, including at Novi Travnik,
Gornji Vakuf and Busovaca. Following international protests, a cease-fire
was put in place after some days.
- While tensions remained high and there were local skirmishes, major conflict
was avoided until the end of March 1993, when President Izetbegovic, following
further negotiations, provisionally accepted the Vance-Owen plan (which the
Serbs never accepted), with certain military aspects of the plan still to
be resolved. As in January 1993, knowing that the Government of Bosnia and
Herzegovina had not agreed on the remaining issues and that the Bosnian Serbs
had not accepted the plan, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO leadership (including the
accused) once again set a deadline, stating that all units of the Army of
Bosnia and Herzegovina in provinces 3, 8 and 10, by 15 April 1993, either
subordinate themselves to the HVO or leave the areas covered by the proposed
provinces.
- When the 15 April deadline passed without the BiH Government acceding to
their position, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces set about a broad campaign of persecutions,
military actions, arrests and expulsions to enforce their demands, with more
than thirty attacks on Muslim towns and villages on 16-18 April 1993, including
the attacks and atrocities in Ahmici on 16 April, in Sovici and Doljani on
17 April, and in Parcani, Lizoperci and Toscanica
on 17-19 April.
- The Herceg-Bosna/HVO attacks, arrests and expulsions in the second half
of April 1993 set in motion an extensive campaign of such actions, interrupted
by occasional ceasefires, which continued even after the signing of another
peace plan, the Washington Agreement, in March 1994.
- On 9-10 May 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked Bosnian Muslims in Mostar,
a city on the Neretva River in southwest Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces rounded up hundreds, if not thousands, of Bosnian Muslim men, women,
children and elderly. Large numbers of Bosnian Muslims were expelled into
east Mostar, while hundreds of others were detained at the Heliodrom prison.
By June 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces had commenced a siege against east
Mostar which continued to April 1994 and involved continual shelling, sniper
fire, blocking of humanitarian aid and horrible deprivations, directed against
the Bosnian Muslims in east Mostar.
- After an attack by the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina ("ABiH") on an HVO
camp in the northern part of Mostar town on 30 June 1993, JADRANKO PRLIC and
BRUNO STOJIC issued a proclamation stating that Croat civilians were being
exterminated, that the very existence of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
was in extreme and imminent danger and that Mostar was and would remain a
Croatian town. On 2 July 1993, criminal enterprise leader Franjo Tudjman told
Gojko Susak and others in a meeting in Zagreb that it was "important to put
pressure on the Muslim units on the Neretva front."
- In early July, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces, supported by (and involving) the
government and armed forces of the Republic of Croatia, launched a massive
campaign to attack, arrest and cleanse Bosnian Muslims from areas claimed
to be part of Herceg-Bosna (including the municipalities of Mostar, Prozor,
Stolac, Capljina and Ljubuski). From June through September 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces systematically arrested, mistreated and evicted tens of thousands of
Bosnian Muslim men, women, children and elderly from their homes, detained
them and/or transferred them to other areas or deported them to other countries.
- The Herceg-Bosna/HVO actions followed a pattern: First, most of the Bosnian
Muslim military-aged men (including many who had served in the HVO) were arrested
and detained at various HVO prisons and concentration camps. Then, with most
of the Muslim men removed, the HVO took control of towns and villages and
systematically rounded up Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly, who
were then detained for varying lengths of time and/or transferred to ABiH-controlled
areas or deported to other countries.
- As part of and in the course of these actions, involving ethnic cleansing
on a widespread and systematic basis, and in furtherance of the joint criminal
enterprise, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC,
VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC, together with other leaders and members
of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities and forces, engaged in:
- Instigation and Fomentation of Political, Ethnic or Religious Strife,
Division and Hatred: By speeches, propaganda and false information, the
Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities created, instigated and supported a charged anti-Muslim
atmosphere, promoted ethnic division and fostered religious mistrust.
- Use of Force, Intimidation and Terror: Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and military and police units used force and the threat of force to dominate,
suppress and persecute Bosnian Muslims. In the course of mass arrests and
evictions, Bosnian Muslims were killed, severely injured, sexually assaulted,
robbed of their property and otherwise abused. Identity papers and similar
documents were often taken from Muslims, placing them at various risks and
limiting their freedom of movement. In attacks on Muslim towns, villages and
areas, and in the siege of east Mostar, there was regular and widespread shelling
and sniping of Muslim civilians.
- Appropriation and Destruction of Property: Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and soldiers forced Bosnian Muslims to abandon their homes or sign them over
to the HVO. Money, cars and personal property were often taken or looted.
Muslim dwellings and other buildings, including public buildings and services,
were appropriated, destroyed or severely damaged, together with Muslim buildings,
sites and institutions dedicated to religion or education, including mosques.
Much of this destruction was meant to ensure that Muslims could not, or would
not, return to their homes and communities. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
appropriated public property belonging to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Seized or abandoned Muslim apartments and homes were often given or assigned
to HVO members or Croat refugees.
- Detention and Imprisonment: The accused and other members of the
joint criminal enterprise, together with various members of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities and forces, established, supported and operated a system of ill-treatment,
involving a network of prisons, concentration camps and other detention facilities
(including, without limitation, the Heliodrom Camp, Ljubuski Prison, Dretelj
Prison, Gabela Prison and Vojno Camp) to arrest, detain and imprison thousands
of Bosnian Muslims, including women, children and elderly. Many of
the imprisoned and detained Muslims were kept in horrible conditions and deprived
of basic human necessities, such as adequate food, water and medical care.
Many suffered inhumane treatment and physical and psychological abuse, including
beatings and sexual assaults.
- Forcible Transfer and Deportation: The accused and other members
of the joint criminal enterprise, together with various members of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities and forces, established, supported and operated a system of ill-treatment
to deport Bosnian Muslims to other countries or transfer them to parts of
Bosnia and Herzegovina not claimed or controlled by Herceg-Bosna. Many of
the transferred or deported Muslims were first imprisoned and detained as
described above, and only "released" to be transferred or deported. Many persons
so transferred or deported were forced to sign over their property to the
HVO or to simply abandon their property and leave their belongings.
- Forced Labour: Many Bosnian Muslims held by the HVO were forced to
engage in physical labour, such as building military fortifications, digging
trenches, carrying ammunition and retrieving bodies, often in combat and dangerous
conditions, which resulted in many Bosnian Muslim detainees being killed or
severely wounded. Some were used as human shields or to draw fire from enemy
positions, in order to locate those positions. HVO units and soldiers used
Muslim prisoners to plunder and loot Muslim homes and property.
- The Herceg-Bosna/HVO campaign of attacks and ethnic cleansing continued
into the latter part of 1993, as demonstrated by the HVO's 23 October 1993
attack on the Muslim village of Stupni Do. After discussions in Zagreb on
what to do concerning the HVO officer who commanded the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
involved in the killings at Stupni Do, senior political and military leaders
engaged in what Franjo Tudjman described as a "game": the international community
was told that the HVO officer had been removed, when in fact, he simply changed
his name, remained in essentially the same position and was never punished.
- As a result of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO campaign of persecution and ethnic cleansing,
the Bosnian Muslim population in many parts of Herceg-Bosna was substantially
reduced, and those who remained were plainly dominated by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities and forces, as planned and intended by the joint criminal enterprise,
including the accused.
- On about 1 March 1994, Franjo Tudjman and the Herceg-Bosna/HVO leadership
entered into the Washington Agreement, which established the Croat-Muslim
federation and ended the large-scale open fighting between the two sides.
PROZOR MUNICIPALITY
- Prozor Municipality is located in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a
1991 population of approximately 19,760 persons. In the 1991 census, about
62% of the municipality's inhabitants declared themselves Croat, and 36.5%
declared themselves Muslim. The principal town in Prozor Municipality is Prozor.
Its 1991 population (about 3,500 persons) was approximately 60% Muslim.
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Prozor Municipality
as part of Herceg-Bosna. By a decision of Mate Boban, the HVO Municipal Government
was officially established in Prozor Municipality on 12 August 1992.
- From August to October 1992, tensions between the HVO and ABiH increased.
On 19 October 1992, the Croatian flag was raised on the police station in
Prozor town. On the morning of 23 October 1992, the HVO President in Prozor
told the Bosnian Muslims, inter alia, that the increasing Croat-Muslim
tensions would be solved by the Bosnian Muslims' immediate acceptance of Herceg-Bosna/HVO
political and military control. The Muslims did not accept the HVO proposal.
- On the afternoon of 23 October 1992, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked the
Bosnian Muslims in Prozor town. On 23-24 October 1992, after they had taken
control of Prozor town, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces plundered, burned and
destroyed Bosnian Muslim homes and other properties.
- On 24 October 1992, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces rounded up Bosnian Muslims,
promising that no harm would be done to them. In fact, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces arrested the Bosnian Muslim men and detained them in the Ripci primary
school. Some of the Muslim men were kept for several days, while others were
kept for several weeks. Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces severely beat a number of
the Muslim detainees.
- On about 24 October 1992, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked Paljike, a predominantly
Muslim village approximately one kilometer south of Prozor town. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces deliberately destroyed Bosnian Muslim houses and property. HVO forces
confined four Bosnian Muslims inside a house and then fired shots and threw
hand grenades inside the house, killing two of the civilians (named in the
Confidential Annex) (hereafter "Annex"). The HVO detained all of the Bosnian
Muslim men in one house in the village and transferred them the next day to
the Ripci primary school.
- On the evening of 24 October 1992, an area HVO commander reported that Prozor
town was "ethnically pure," the Muslim population having been detained or
having fled. On 26 October 1992, BRUNO STOJIC, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, Janko Bobetko
and others were informed that the HVO had taken control of Prozor on 25 October,
with many casualties on the Muslim side.
- In November 1992, after negotiations between the Herceg-Bosna/HVO and ABiH
authorities, Bosnian Muslim civilians returned to Prozor Municipality. The
HVO, however, continued to harass and persecute the Bosnian Muslim population.
- On about 17-19 April 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked several villages,
including Parcani, Lizoperci and Toscanica. In
Parcani, Lizoperci and Toscanica, most inhabitants fled into the surrounding
woods for safety when they saw the HVO soldiers approaching the villages.
The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces killed Bosnian Muslim civilians in Toscanica (named
in the Annex), entered the villages, burned houses, destroyed livestock and
looted the area.
- Beginning in the summer of 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities required
that all movements of Bosnian Muslims into, out of or within Prozor Municipality
be approved by Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities.
- From June to mid-August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked Bosnian Muslim
civilians and destroyed and looted Bosnian Muslim civilian property in or
about the villages of Duge, Lug, Lizoperci, Skrobucani, Parcani, Munikoze,
Podonis (sometimes referenced as Podanis) and Gracanica. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces also attacked Muslim civilians hiding in the region of Prajine and
Tolavac, killing six of them. (Annex) Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces burned down
the mosque in Skrobucani and the Islamic Community building in Prozor town,
and seriously damaged the mosque in Lizoperci.
- From spring 1993 until the end of that year, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces arrested
Bosnian Muslim men and took them to various detention centres in Prozor Municipality,
including the Secondary School Centre, the Unis building, the military police
building located at the fire station and the Ministry of Interior ("MUP")
building. HVO soldiers physically abused the Muslim detainees, some of whom
were taken away and never seen again. Beginning in July 1993, the HVO transferred
some detainees to other detention facilities at Ljubuski, the Heliodrom, Dretelj
and Gabela.
- Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces used Bosnian Muslim detainees to perform forced
labour, including construction of military fortifications and digging trenches.
Some Muslim detainees died or were injured while performing forced labour.
HVO soldiers often beat and humiliated Muslim detainees while they were being
held or used as labourers, and on some occasions forced them to perform sexual
acts. (Annex)
- On or about 31 July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces took approximately fifty
Muslim detainees from the Secondary School Centre to the confrontation line
at Makljen Crni Vrh. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces tied the detainees together
with telephone cable around their arms and necks and forced them to walk in
front of HVO soldiers in the direction of ABiH positions near the forest.
While the detainees were walking in front of the HVO soldiers, the HVO soldiers
opened fire in their direction and at least twenty detainees were killed.
The dead detainees were untied and left behind while the HVO forced the remaining
detainees to walk toward the forest. (Annex)
- During July and August 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces collected and confined
(in houses under HVO control) several thousand Bosnian Muslim women, children
and elderly in or about the villages of Lapsunj and Duge and in a part of
Prozor town called Podgrade. The various locations were over-crowded and the
living conditions were deplorable. Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces frequently robbed,
abused and humiliated the Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly and looted
their property. Members of the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces often raped Bosnian
Muslim women. (Specific instances of rapes and sexual assaults, as representative
allegations, are set forth in the Annex).
- In late August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces gathered the several thousand
Bosnian Muslim civilians kept in the three villages, loaded them onto trucks
and took them to the village of Kucani near the frontline, where they were
forced to walk in the direction of ABiH-held territory. As the Muslim civilians
walked toward ABiH territory, the HVO fired shots at them, resulting in several
Muslims being injured.
- At the end of August 1993 and thereafter, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces continued
to persecute and mistreat Bosnian Muslim civilians who remained in Prozor
Municipality, subjecting them to harassment, physical and sexual assault and
humiliating acts. (Annex) By December 1993, there were only about 500 to 600
Muslims in Prozor Municipality and by the end of the month, most of them were
either in HVO concentration camps, sent to ABiH-held territory or deported
to other countries.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC
are responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged
in Count 1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); rape
(Count 4); inhuman treatment (sexual assault) (Count 5);
deportation (Count 6); unlawful deportation of a civilian (Count
7); inhumane acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer
of a civilian (Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement
of a civilian (Count 11); inhumane acts (Count 15); inhuman
treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment (Count 17); unlawful labour
(Count 18); extensive destruction of property (Count 19); wanton
destruction (Count 20); destruction or wilful damage to institutions
dedicated to religion or education (Count 21); appropriation of property
(Count 22);and plunder (Count 23).
GORNJI VAKUF MUNICIPALITY
- Gornji Vakuf Municipality is located in central Bosnia and Herzegovina,
with a 1991 population of approximately 25,181 persons. In the 1991 census,
about 56% (or 14,063) of the municipality’s inhabitants declared themselves
Muslim, and about 42.5% (or 10,706 persons) as Croat.
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Gornji Vakuf
Municipality as part of Herceg-Bosna. By a decision of Mate Boban, the HVO
armed forces were officially established in Gornji Vakuf on 8 April 1992.
In the first few months of its existence, the HVO recruited a large number
of Bosnian Croats and set up various checkpoints to control population movement
in the municipality.
- On or about 24-25 October 1992, shortly after Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked
Bosnian Muslims in neighbouring Prozor Municipality on 23 October 1992, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
and ABiH forces engaged in fighting in Gornji Vakuf town, and the HVO seized
control of several factories and the MUP building.
- On 6 January 1993, two days after Mate Boban announced that the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities had accepted the Vance-Owen peace plan, the HVO provoked the predominantly
Muslim population in Gornji Vakuf town by raising a Croatian flag. The HVO
shot at an ABiH soldier who tried to remove the flag. On 11-12 January 1993,
open fighting between the HVO and ABiH broke out and continued in Gornji Vakuf
town and several surrounding villages, including Dusa, Hrasnica, Uzricje and
Zdrimci.
- As described above, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities demanded on 15 January
1993 that ABiH forces in large parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including
Gornji Vakuf, either subordinate themselves to the HVO or withdraw from these
areas. On 16 January 1993, the HVO issued a specific ultimatum to the Bosnian
Muslims in Gornji Vakuf, demanding, inter alia, that the ABiH troops
withdraw from the area by midnight, 17 January 1993. The ABiH rejected the
HVO ultimatum.
- On 18 January 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces, using heavy artillery, attacked
Bosnian Muslim residential areas in Gornji Vakuf town and several surrounding
villages, including Dusa, Hrasnica, Uzricje and Zdrimci. The HVO attacks and
artillery fire killed a number of Bosnian Muslim civilians and destroyed or
damaged a substantial amount of Bosnian Muslim property. (Annex)
- Following the HVO attack on Dusa, Hrasnica, Uzricje and Zdrimci, the HVO
plundered and burned Bosnian Muslim houses and property in and around these
villages. The HVO robbed hundreds of arrested or captured Bosnian Muslims
of their valuables and separated the Muslim men from the Muslim women, children
and elderly. In most instances, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces took the Muslim
men away to HVO detention facilities, while they detained the women, children
and elderly in one or two houses in the village. During their detention,
Muslim women, children and elderly were kept in harsh conditions and often
mistreated or abused. The HVO actions resulted in hundreds of Muslim civilians
leaving the Gornji Vakuf area.
- Following the HVO takeover of Zdrimci around 18 January 1993, the HVO forces
separated Muslim women and children from the men and detained them in a few
houses for approximately one month. During this time, the HVO forces burned
down the Muslim houses in the village. The Muslim women and children were
often intimidated and harassed by the HVO forces, being forced to say Christian
prayers and cross themselves. On one occasion, all of the Muslim women and
children were lined up in front of a mekteb in the village. An HVO soldier
asked them to take a Koran and set fire to the mekteb. When none of the Muslim
women or children would do so, the HVO soldiers burned the mekteb down.
- Following the HVO takeover of Hrasnica around 18 January 1993, the HVO transferred
the Bosnian Muslim population in buses to a furniture factory in Trnovaca
which served as an HVO detention center. After the first day of detention,
the HVO took the Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly to Muslim houses
in the neighbourhood, where they were held for another two weeks. On being
released, HVO soldiers told the Muslims to go to ABiH-held territory and live
there.
- The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces detained approximately sixty military-aged Bosnian
Muslim men from Dusa and Hrasnica in the Trnovaca furniture factory, for about
two weeks. The Bosnian Muslim men were frequently beaten and subjected to
physical and psychological abuse, intimidation and inhuman treatment by HVO
soldiers. After approximately two weeks, the Bosnian Muslim men from Dusa
were exchanged, while the Muslim men from Hrasnica were transferred to an
HVO detention facility in Prozor.
- After the HVO takeover of Uzricje around 22 January 1993, the HVO detained
the entire Bosnian Muslim population in the only two remaining Muslim houses
in the village for several weeks, under horrible conditions. It was winter
and each house had only a wood stove, with no electricity. The fifty to sixty
Muslims detained in the houses received no food and stayed alive by eating
whatever was left in these houses. When the HVO released the Muslim detainees,
HVO soldiers told the Muslims to go to ABiH-held territory and live there.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC and VALENTIN CORIC are responsible for
the following crimes: persecutions, as charged in Count 1; murder
(Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); inhumane acts (forcible
transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer of a civilian (Count
9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement of a civilian
(Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of confinement) (Count 12); inhuman
treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 13); cruel treatment (conditions
of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane acts (Count 15); inhuman
treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment (Count 17); extensive
destruction of property (Count 19); wanton destruction (Count 20);
destruction or wilful damage to institutions dedicated to religion or education
(Count 21); appropriation of property (Count 22); and plunder
(Count 23).
SOVICI AND DOLJANI
(JABLANICA MUNICIPALITY)
- The villages of Sovici and Doljani are located in the western part of Jablanica
Municipality. According to the 1991 census, about 71% of Jablanica Municipality's
total population of approximately 12,691 inhabitants declared themselves Muslim,
and 18% as Croat. The village of Sovici was predominantly Muslim, while Doljani
was predominantly Croat.
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Jablanica Municipality
as part of Herceg-Bosna, despite the fact that the municipality was 71% Muslim.
- As described above, in early April 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO leadership
issued statements calling for all ABiH forces in large areas of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, including Jablanica Municipality and Sovici and Doljani, to either
subordinate themselves to the HVO or leave these areas by no later than 15
April 1993.
- Shortly after the 15 April 1993 deadline passed, and around the same time
that Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked other locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the HVO attacked Sovici and Doljani, on 17 April 1993. A number of Bosnian
Muslim men attempted to defend the villages, but most resistance was quickly
overcome by late afternoon on 17 April 1993, when the Bosnian Muslim commander
surrendered.
- On 17-18 April 1993, the HVO collected and detained approximately 70 to
90 military-aged Bosnian Muslim men at a school in Sovici (the "Sovici school").
During or about this time, the HVO executed at least four Bosnian Muslim men
near the Sovici school. (Annex) The HVO severely beat, mistreated, and abused
other Muslim men.
- On about the evening of 18 April 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces transported
many of the Muslim men detained at the Sovici school to Ljubuski Prison, where
they continued to be detained. While being transported to Ljubuski, the HVO
continued to beat, abuse and humiliate the Muslim men and forced them to sing
nationalistic Croatian songs.
- Commencing on about 18 April 1993 and continuing thereafter, the HVO expelled
and collected Bosnian Muslim men, women, children and elderly from their homes
in the Sovici-Doljani area. The HVO detained several hundred Bosnian Muslim
men, women, children and elderly at the Sovici school and in about six or
seven houses in the Junuzovici hamlet (the "Junuzovici houses"). The conditions
at these locations were harsh and inhumane, with little food or water and
inadequate sanitation facilities. The HVO beat, mistreated, and abused many
Muslim detainees, including women.
- In the following days, between approximately 18 April and 23 April 1993,
other Bosnian Muslim men were either captured by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
or surrendered. The HVO took a number of these men to the HVO headquarters
located at a fish farm near Doljani. There, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces mistreated,
abused, interrogated and tortured the men. The HVO executed some of the Muslim
detainees.
- The HVO used Bosnian Muslim men detained in the Sovici-Doljani area for
forced labour at various places in the surrounding area, in building military
fortifications, digging trenches and carrying ammunition.
- On 18 April 1993 and thereafter (continuing to about 24 April 1993), after
all or most of the principal fighting had ended, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
deliberately burned or otherwise destroyed most of the Bosnian Muslim homes
in Sovici and Doljani.
- Between about 18 April and 22 April 1993, the HVO deliberately destroyed
two buildings dedicated to the Muslim religion in Sovici and Doljani (including
at least one mosque).
- On 17 April 1993 and for several days thereafter, the HVO blocked international
observers and peace-keeping forces from entering the Sovici-Doljani area,
although much of the destruction and burning houses could be seen from a distance.
- From 17 April 1993 to approximately 4 May 1993 and thereafter, Muslim property
was confiscated, stolen, plundered and robbed by Herceg-Bosna/HVO members.
An HVO decision on 13 May 1993 declared that all property of the "exiled Muslim
population" was HVO property.
- The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces continued to hold Bosnian Muslim women, children
and elderly at the Sovici school and the Junuzovici houses until approximately
4-5 May 1993, when the HVO transported 400 to 500 Bosnian Muslim civilians
toward Gornji Vakuf. There, the HVO unloaded the Muslim women, children and
elderly and told them to walk toward ABiH-controlled territory.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC
are responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged
in Count 1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); inhumane
acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer of a civilian
(Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement of a civilian
(Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of confinement) (Count 12); inhuman
treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 13); cruel treatment
(conditions of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane acts (Count
15); inhuman treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment (Count 17);
unlawful labour (Count 18); extensive destruction of property
(Count 19); wanton destruction (Count 20); destruction or wilful
damage to institutions dedicated to religion or education (Count 21);
appropriation of property (Count 22);and plunder (Count
23).
MOSTAR MUNICIPALITY
- Mostar Municipality is located in southwest Bosnia and Herzegovina, with
a 1991 population of approximately 126,628 persons. In the 1991 census, approximately
34.6% of the municipality's inhabitants (43,856 persons) declared themselves
Muslim, approximately 33.9% (43,037 persons) declared themselves Croat; 18.8%
(23,846 persons) as Serb; and 12.3% (15,889) as Yugoslav or "other." The town
of Mostar ("Mostar town") is the historical capital and largest city of that
part of Bosnia and Herzegovina known as Herzegovina. As of 1991, Mostar town
was approximately 34.2% Muslim, 28.7% Croat, 18.6% Serb, and 18.5% Yugoslav
or "other."
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Mostar Municipality
as part of Herceg-Bosna. Despite the fact that Mostar town was only about
29% Croat, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities claimed Mostar as Herceg-Bosna's
capital.
- As described above, Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities, in 1992, engaged in a
campaign to control and "Croatise" Mostar Municipality (including Mostar town),
with increasing persecution and discrimination aimed at the municipality's
Bosnian Muslim population. By mid-1992 and continuing into 1993, Bosnian Muslims,
with few exceptions, were removed from positions in the municipal and local
governments; humanitarian aid was distributed to the Muslims' disadvantage;
and Muslims in general were increasingly harassed.
- In October 1992, Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities ordered the HVO Military Police
to tighten its control over Mostar town. Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces occupied
government and public buildings, disarmed Muslim soldiers, took over the refugee
centers and raided the local headquarters of the leading Muslim political
party, the Party of Democratic Action ("SDA"). The Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
took the Muslim radio station off the air and imposed a curfew.
- As described above, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities demanded on 15 January
1993 that ABiH forces, including those in Mostar Municipality, either subordinate
themselves to the HVO or withdraw from the area. In mid-January 1993, the
Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities raised the Mostar HVO forces' combat readiness
to the highest level and imposed a curfew. All Muslim transports of weapons
and military equipment were ordered confiscated.
- As described above, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities made a similar demand
in early April 1993, with a deadline of 15 April 1993. On that same day, 15
April 1993, the HVO Mostar Municipal Government adopted a "Decision on the
Statutory Rights of Refugees and Expelled and Displaced Persons in Mostar
Municipality," which redefined the criteria for determining an individual's
status as a "refugee," at a time when being classified as a "refugee" was
a prerequisite to obtaining humanitarian aid. At that time, there were approximately
19,000 refugees in Mostar, nearly 18,000 of whom were Muslim, and the effect
of the Decision was to disqualify approximately 10,000 persons from receiving
aid.
- On the morning of 9 May 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked Bosnian Muslims
in Mostar. As part of this operation, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked
the Vranica building complex, which was an apartment complex in West Mostar
housing a large number of civilians. A part of the basement in one building
serving as a local ABiH headquarters, with a small number of ABiH soldiers.
On 10 May 1993, the Vranica building's civilian and military inhabitants surrendered
to the HVO. Most of the military-aged Bosnian Muslim men were detained and
taken to the Tobacco Institute, some to the Mechanical Engineering Faculty
building, and some to the police station (or "MUP building"). The other Bosnian
Muslim inhabitants were taken to the Velez football stadium and from there
to the Heliodrom. The Bosnian Croat inhabitants were released. Muslim men
taken to the Tobacco Institute -- where they were presented to a gathering
of senior Herceg-Bosna/HVO officials and officers -- were beaten, mistreated
and abused by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces.
- Twelve of the military-aged Muslim men who surrendered at the Vranica building
on 10 May 1993 were taken to an HVO military police headquarters at the Mechanical
Engineering Faculty building, where they were interrogated, severely beaten
and humiliated. (Annex) One of the detainees had an ear cut off while being
beaten and was subsequently shot to death. After the beatings, two HVO soldiers
entered the room where the men were held and fired numerous shots at the detainees
at close range. None of the twelve Muslim men were ever seen again.
- Also commencing on 9 May 1993, at about the same time that the HVO attacked
the Vranica building complex, and continuing on 10 May 1993, the HVO rounded
up and detained hundreds of Bosnian Muslim men, women, children and elderly
living in the part of Mostar west of the Neretva River. Some of the Bosnian
Muslims were expelled into east Mostar, while many others were taken to the
Velez football stadium, and then either transported or forced to walk to the
Heliodrom (described below), just south of Mostar. Approximately 1,800 Bosnian
Muslim civilians were detained by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces at the Heliodrom
for varying periods, up to about ten days. Some Muslim detainees were transferred
to Ljubuski Prison, while others continued to be held at the Heliodrom, notwithstanding
an internationally negotiated cease-fire agreement.
- On or about 9 May 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces blew up the Baba Besir Mosque
(also known as the Balinovac Mosque) in the Balinovac district, in west Mostar.
On or about 11 May 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces dynamited the Hadzi Ali-Beg
Lafo Mosque (sometimes known as the Hadji Ali-Bey Lafa Mosque) at Pijesak,
also in west Mostar.
- The HVO actions on 9-10 May 1993 and thereafter resulted in Mostar town
being divided by an HVO-ABiH confrontation line, running north and south along
the Bulevar and Santiceva Street, just west of the Neretva River. Most of
the Bosnian Muslims were surrounded in a small area located on the east side
of the river, together with a narrow strip of buildings on the west bank (hereafter
"East Mostar"). The Bosnian Croats and HVO occupied most of the west bank
("West Mostar") and the areas north and south of the Muslim enclave, with
Bosnian Serb forces to the east.
- From 9 May 1993 and continuing to April 1994 and thereafter, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces engaged in the systematic expulsion and forcible transfer of thousands
of Bosnian Muslim civilians from West Mostar. During and in the course of
these expulsions, often at gunpoint, Bosnian Muslims were routinely beaten,
sexually assaulted, shot at, robbed, had their property confiscated and were
otherwise mistreated. Some of the evicted Bosnian Muslims were taken to HVO
concentration camps and detained there, while many others were forced across
the confrontation line into East Mostar.
- During and throughout this time, from May 1993 forward, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities and forces allowed some Bosnian Muslims in West Mostar to go to
ABiH-controlled parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina or other countries, so long
as they left Herceg-Bosna. Hundreds of Bosnian Muslims were allowed to leave
Mostar only if they signed a statement, required by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities,
that they "voluntarily" relinquished all of their belongings to the HVO. The
homes and flats from which the Bosnian Muslims were evicted were assigned
by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities to HVO soldiers and Bosnian Croat civilians.
- While many Bosnian Muslims who were arrested and detained on 9-10 May 1993
were released after being held a short time, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and forces continued to evict Bosnian Muslims from their homes and flats in
West Mostar, in the second half of May 1993.
- In about mid-June 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled and forcibly evicted
a large number of Bosnian Muslims from their homes in West Mostar.
- On 30 June 1993, the ABiH attacked and occupied the HVO's "Tihomir Misic"
Barracks (also known as the "Northern Barracks"), in the north part of Mostar
town. Following this attack, the HVO arrested several thousand military-aged
Bosnian Muslim men in and around Mostar, and detained them at the Heliodrom
or Dretelj Prison. In connection with or following the mass arrest of Muslim
men, approximately 400 Bosnian Muslim families (women, children and elderly)
were expelled from West Mostar.
- During the time from 9 May 1993 and thereafter, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
used the Mechanical Engineering Faculty building in Mostar to detain, interrogate
and mistreat arrested or captured Bosnian Muslim men. In the first week of
July 1993, five Bosnian Muslim men were arrested near Dreznica and taken to
the Mechanical Engineering Faculty building. HVO members severely beat the
five men, two of whom died from the beating. (Annex)
- In mid-July 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces carried out another round
of forcible evictions, expelling Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly
from their homes in West Mostar and into East Mostar. Around the same time,
the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities offered to release Muslim men detained at
the Heliodrom, as well as their families in the Mostar area, if they agreed
to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina and go to another country. Approximately 800
Bosnian Muslims agreed to this proposal and were deported to the Republic
of Croatia, as a transit point to other countries.
- On about 14 July 1993, a Muslim boy and his grandfather were arrested at
their home in Buna (just outside Mostar town) and taken to an HVO Military
Police station, where they were interrogated and tortured by HVO Military
Police. Later the same day, they were put in a van to be transported to Dretelj
Prison. On their way to Dretelj Prison, the HVO Military Police stopped the
van and ordered the boy and his grandfather to stand at the edge of the road,
above the Neretva River. The HVO Military Police then fired a hail of bullets
at them, seriously wounding the boy (who fell down the riverbank and survived)
and killing his grandfather. (Annex)
- During the same period of the continuing evictions from West Mostar, from
May 1993 forward, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces regularly engaged in looting, theft
and plunder of Muslim property, either in the course of the continuing evictions
themselves or by separately entering still occupied or abandoned Muslim homes
and apartments.
- On or about 24 August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces attacked various locations
around Mostar town, including the village of Rastani, the Mostar hydro-electric
plant and the "Tihomir Misic" Barracks. Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces entered Rastani
and surrounded houses where ABiH soldiers were believed to be quartered. When
HVO soldiers surrounded the house of one local Muslim man, he was the only
ABiH soldier in the house, along with fifteen relatives and neighbours who
were Muslim civilians. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces ordered all of the persons
to come out of the house, and immediately shot and killed the unarmed ABiH
soldier and three other unarmed military-aged Muslim men as they came out
of the house. (Annex) The HVO forces lined the Muslim women and children in
front of a wall and stole their money and jewellery and otherwise mistreated
them. The surviving Muslims were then ordered to cross the Neretva River to
ABiH-held territory.
- In late September 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces engaged in another round
of evictions of Bosnian Muslims from West Mostar, in the Centar II district.
Approximately 600 Bosnian Muslim civilians were forced from their homes, and
at least one Bosnian Muslim woman was raped. (Annex)
- From about June 1993 to April 1994, East Mostar and certain areas connected
to it, including Blagaj, were under siege. As a result of Bosnian Muslims
being expelled into this enclave or fleeing to the enclave from other areas,
the Muslim population in this area increased from a pre-war estimate of approximately
18,400 persons to a number estimated as high as 51,600 persons. In East Mostar
itself, the Muslim population increased from about 10,400 to approximately
27,700 persons.
- During this time, from June 1993 to April 1994, there was continued fighting
between Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces and the ABiH in and around Mostar town. While
the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces were generally better equipped with heavier weapons,
including tanks and artillery, the smaller Muslim forces, using primarily
light infantry weapons, resisted HVO advances and held the small strip of
land west of the Neretva River.
- The Bosnian Muslims in East Mostar lived, or attempted to live, in increasingly
dangerous, squalid and horrific conditions. While the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
regularly forced more Bosnian Muslims into the small, densely populated area
of East Mostar, the same forces continually shelled East Mostar with artillery
and fired at civilians using sniper and other direct fire weapons (including
heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons). At the same time, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities blocked and deprived the Bosnian Muslims in East Mostar of humanitarian
aid, and cut off or failed to repair water and power supplies to that part
of the city. Constant shelling and sniping forced the civilian Muslim population
into an underground life. Venturing out for food, water and other necessities
was often a terrifying, dangerous experience.
- In the early part of the East Mostar siege, from approximately late June
1993 to late August 1993, international organisations and humanitarian agencies
were completely or substantially blocked from entering East Mostar, which
caused increasing hardships for the Bosnian Muslims in East Mostar, who were
cut off from outside aid.
- The HVO shelling of East Mostar killed or wounded hundreds of Bosnian Muslim
civilians, of both sexes and all ages. Herceg-Bosna/HVO gunfire killed or
wounded at least 135 civilians in East Mostar, including women, children and
elderly. (Annex) (Specific instances of sniping attacks against Muslim civilians,
as representative allegations, are set forth in the Annex.) Firemen responding
to emergencies, women washing their clothes, family members going out for
water and small children who ventured outside were killed or wounded by Herceg-Bosna/HVO
snipers.
- Members of international organisations were also routinely targeted by Herceg-Bosna/HVO
sniper fire and, on occasion, were targeted by HVO artillery and mortar fire,
with several UN peacekeepers and others being killed or wounded.
- As part of and in the course of the East Mostar siege, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces deliberately destroyed or significantly damaged the following mosques
or religious properties in East Mostar: Sultan Selim Javuz Mosque (also known
as the Mesdjid Sultan Selimov Javuza Mosque), Hadzi Mehmed-Beg Karadjoz Mosque,
Koski Mehmed-Pasa Mosque, Nesuh Aga Vucjakovic Mosque, Cejvan Cehaja Mosque,
Hadzi Ahmed Aga Lakisic Mosque, Roznamedzija Ibrahim Efendija Mosque, Cosa
Jahja Hodza Mosque (also known as the Dzamiha Cose Jahja Hodzina Mosque),
the Hadzi Kurto or Tabacica Mosque, and the Hadzi Memija Cernica Mosque. On
9 November 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces destroyed the Stari Most ("Old
Bridge"), an international landmark that crossed the Neretva River between
East and West Mostar.
- The East Mostar siege ended around 12 April 1994, following a peace agreement
signed by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities and the Muslim side in Split, in
the Republic of Croatia.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC
are responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged
in Count 1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); rape
(Count 4); inhuman treatment (sexual assault) (Count
5); deportation (Count 6); unlawful deportation of a civilian
(Count 7); inhumane acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful
transfer of a civilian (Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful
confinement of a civilian (Count 11); inhumane acts (Count
15); inhuman treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment (Count 17);
extensive destruction of property (Count 19); wanton destruction
(Count 20); destruction or wilful damage to institutions dedicated to religion
or education (Count 21); appropriation of property (Count 22);
plunder (Count 23); unlawful attack on civilians (Count 24);
unlawful infliction of terror (Count 25); and cruel treatment (Mostar
siege) (Count 26).
HELIODROM CAMP
- The Heliodrom Camp (also called the "Central Military Prison" or "Central
Military Remand Prison") (the "Heliodrom") was located in Rodoc, just south
of Mostar town, in Mostar Municipality. The Heliodrom was a complex of buildings,
with some parts of the complex used as an HVO prison or detention facility,
and other parts as barracks for HVO and other troops. The HVO prison/detention
facility was established in September 1992, on the orders of BRUNO STOJIC
and VALENTIN CORIC, and held Bosnian Muslim detainees until 21 April 1994.
- As described above, on 9-10 May 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces systematically
rounded up and detained hundreds of Bosnian Muslim men, women, children and
elderly living in West Mostar. Hundreds of arrested Bosnian Muslims were either
transported or forced to walk to the Heliodrom, where most of them were detained
for periods up to about ten days.
- As described above, on 30 June 1993, the ABiH attacked and occupied the
HVO's "Tihomir Misic" or Northern Barracks. Following this attack, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces arrested several thousand military-aged Muslim men in Herzegovina,
and detained many of them at the Heliodrom, for extended periods of time.
- As a result of the arrests, the prison population at the Heliodrom increased
from a small number of persons prior to May 1993 to approximately 1,800 detainees
around 9-10 May 1993, and then declined to about 500 persons by late June
1993. From July to December 1993, the prison population averaged several thousand
persons, with an estimated maximum of about 6,000 detainees held at any one
time. While the remaining Bosnian Muslim women were released from the Heliodrom
on 17 December 1993, a substantial number of Muslim men were held there until
April 1994.
- Bosnian Muslim men were held and continued to be detained at the Heliodrom
concentration camp without any bona fide or adequate effort by the
Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities or forces to distinguish, classify or separate
military prisoners from civilian detainees, or to provide for the release
of civilian detainees.
- Conditions at the Heliodrom concentration camp were inhumane, with severe
overcrowding, inadequate medical and sanitary facilities, insufficient food
and water, inadequate ventilation, and in the summer, suffocating heat. Detainees
often slept on concrete floors with no bedding or blankets. On some occasions,
HVO guards withheld all food and water from the detainees, in retaliation
for HVO military setbacks.
- Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces regularly mistreated and abused, and allowed the
mistreatment and abuse of, Bosnian Muslim detainees, both at the Heliodrom
itself and at various locations where detainees were taken for forced labour
or other purposes. There was regular cruel treatment and infliction of great
suffering, with HVO soldiers and guards routinely beating detainees, often
to the point of unconsciousness and severe injuries. Muslim detainees lived
in constant fear of physical and mental abuse. Passing HVO soldiers often
fired their weapons indiscriminately at Muslim detainees held in crowded areas.
Other detainees were attacked by HVO guard dogs which were released by the
guards for the specific purpose of inflicting injury and fear. Muslim detainees
were often humiliated in various ways, including being forced to sing nationalistic
Croatian songs.
- From approximately mid-May to 17 December 1993, at least thirty Bosnian
Muslim women (including some more than 70 years old and others with young
children with them) were detained at the Heliodrom concentration camp, in
the main building of the detention facility. Some were kept in the attic and
others were placed in isolation cells in the basement. The conditions were
inhumane, with insufficient sanitary facilities and medical attention, inadequate
food and water and poor ventilation. They often slept on concrete floors with
no bedding or blankets.
- As described above, the HVO actions on and following 9-10 May 1993 resulted
in Mostar town being divided by an HVO-ABiH confrontation line, running along
the Bulevar and Santiceva Street. During the period from May 1993 to April
1994, Bosnian Muslim men held at the Heliodrom were taken on a virtually daily
basis to perform forced labour at the Mostar confrontation line and at other
locations in the Mostar region. Such labour regularly involved building military
fortifications, digging trenches, loading weapons, carrying ammunition and
explosives, and retrieving the bodies of killed HVO soldiers, all in dangerous
combat conditions, with many Muslim detainees being killed or wounded.
- From approximately August 1993 to March 1994, Bosnian Muslim men detained
at the Heliodrom concentration camp were transported to Vojno Camp (described
below), often on a seven-day rotation, where they were used in forced
labour in dangerous conditions. Many Muslim detainees were killed or injured
in the course of such labour.
- On a number of occasions, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces used Muslim detainees
as human shields, placing them between HVO and ABiH forces or making them
walk in front of advancing HVO forces. On some occasions, Muslim detainees
were given wooden rifles or otherwise made to look like HVO soldiers and forced
to walk toward ABiH positions in order to draw fire and assist the HVO in
identifying ABiH positions.
- The use of Bosnian Muslim detainees held at the Heliodrom in forced labour
or as human shields resulted in at least fifty-four Muslim detainees being
killed and at least 178 being wounded. (Annex)
- Some Bosnian Muslim detainees were released or permitted to leave the Heliodrom
on the conditions that they surrender all of their property to the HVO and
move to another country. On about 17 July 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
offered to release Muslim men detained at the Heliodrom if they agreed to
be transferred to the Republic of Croatia, from where the HVO would allegedly
assist them in relocating to other countries. Approximately 800 Bosnian Muslims
accepted this proposal, and were transported to the island of Obonjan and
Gasinci in the Republic of Croatia, with the direct involvement of Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces and Republic of Croatia police.
- Similar practices continued from July to November 1993, with the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities agreeing to release detained Muslim men on the usual condition
that they leave Herceg-Bosna. Between 15-17 December 1993, at least 1,477
Muslim detainees were released from the Heliodrom. Many were deported to the
Republic of Croatia or other countries, and some were sent or allowed to return
to East Mostar. On some occasions, Muslim detainees were also told they would
be released if they signed loyalty oaths to the HVO.
- On various occasions, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities blocked international
observers and humanitarian organisations from gaining full and truthful information
about the existence and circumstances of Muslim detainees held at the Heliodrom,
and on some occasions barred international observers from having contact with
the detainees. On 18 May 1993, representatives of international humanitarian
organisations who visited the Heliodrom were not permitted to inspect all
of the premises where detainees were kept, and were given false information
concerning the detention and release of Bosnian Muslims, including Muslim
women. By August 1993, an international humanitarian organisation had notified
the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities of violations of the Geneva Conventions related
to the detention of Muslims at the Heliodrom, including their use in forced
labour.
- In January 1994, representatives of an international humanitarian organisation
were prevented from having contact with detainees who were still being used
in forced labour.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC are
responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged in Count
1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); deportation
(Count 6); unlawful deportation of a civilian (Count 7); inhumane
acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer of a civilian
(Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement of a civilian
(Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of confinement) (Count 12); inhuman
treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 13); cruel treatment
(conditions of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane acts (Count
15); inhuman treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment (Count 17);
and unlawful labour (Count 18).
VOJNO CAMP
- From approximately June 1993 to March 1994, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
used and operated several buildings in the area of Vojno, in Mostar Municipality,
about twelve kilometers north of Mostar town, as a place to detain Bosnian
Muslim men, women and children who had been arrested or otherwise taken into
custody ("Vojno Camp"). The camp was located close to an active HVO-ABiH confrontation
line.
- Conditions at Vojno Camp were harsh and unhealthy, with overcrowding, insufficient
food and water, poor ventilation, insufficient bedding and inadequate sanitation
facilities.
- The HVO physically and mentally abused Bosnian Muslim men detained at the
Vojno Camp on a daily basis. Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces killed at least thirteen
Muslim men while they were detained at Vojno Camp and injured many others.
(Annex) The HVO forces routinely beat Bosnian Muslim men with fists, feet,
rubber batons and various wooden objects. Muslim men were subjected to electrical
shocks, often forced to beat each other and otherwise abused and humiliated.
Muslim detainees were forced to witness the summary execution of other detainees.
Detainees were often subjected to particularly severe mistreatment in retaliation
for ABiH military successes.
- From approximately August 1993 to March 1994, Bosnian Muslim men detained
at Vojno Camp, together with Bosnian Muslim men detained at the Heliodrom
(who were often sent to Vojno Camp on a seven-day rotation) were used in forced
labour in the Vojno area. The forced labour included building military fortifications,
digging trenches, carrying ammunition to HVO soldiers, and retrieving killed
and injured HVO soldiers, often along the confrontation line and in the midst
of combat conditions. Bosnian Muslim men engaged in such labour were regularly
exposed to mortar, sniper and other small arms fire, and at least thirty-nine
Muslim men were killed or wounded. (Annex)
- The HVO detained approximately fifty civilian Bosnian Muslim women and girls
(together with their small children) at Vojno Camp, from approximately June
to December 1993. The Muslim women and others were held without any genuine
or bona fide effort by the HVO to determine their status or distinguish
military detainees from civilians. Neither did the HVO provide for the civilians’
release or transfer to a safe location.
- HVO soldiers repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted Bosnian Muslim women
and girls detained at Vojno Camp. (Annex) Such episodes of sexual assault
were often preceded or accompanied by beatings or threats that non-compliance
would result in the woman's child (or children) being killed.
- Bosnian Muslim children detained at the Vojno Camp were regularly exposed
to cruel treatment, hunger and separation from their mothers, resulting in
physical suffering and trauma to these, some of the younger victims of the
Herceg-Bosna/HVO persecution and cleansing.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC are
responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged in Count
1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); rape (Count
4); inhuman treatment (sexual assault) (Count 5); imprisonment
(Count 10); unlawful confinement of a civilian (Count 11); inhumane
acts (conditions of confinement) (Count 12); inhuman treatment
(conditions of confinement) (Count 13); cruel treatment (conditions
of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane acts (Count 15); inhuman
treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment (Count 17); and unlawful
labour (Count 18).
LJUBUSKI MUNICIPALITY
AND DETENTION CENTERS
- Ljubuski Municipality is located in southwest Bosnia and Herzegovina, bordering
the Republic of Croatia. In 1991, approximately 92% of Ljubuski Municipality's
total 28,340 inhabitants declared themselves Croat and only 5.6% (or about
1,592 persons) as Muslim.
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Ljubuski Municipality
as part of Herceg-Bosna. In 1992 and continuing into 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities and forces increasingly persecuted Bosnian Muslims in Ljubuski
town and the villages of Gradska and Vitina.
- Commencing in April 1993 and continuing through March 1994, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities and forces operated the Ljubuski Military Remand Prison ("Ljubuski
Prison") in Ljubuski town and another detention center located in a tin hangar
in or near the hamlets of Vitina and Otok ("Vitina Hangar," sometimes also
known as the "Otok camp"). The HVO operated these camps, in whole or part,
as places to detain and imprison Bosnian Muslims, including Bosnian Muslim
leaders, civilian Muslim women and Muslim intellectuals, as well as
Muslims arrested or collected in the Republic of Croatia and sent to Ljubuski
Prison.
- Conditions at the Ljubuski Prison concentration camp and the Vitina Hangar
were harsh and unhealthy due to overcrowding, bad ventilation, a complete
lack of beds, insufficient bedding, insufficient food and water and poor sanitation
facilities.
- From approximately April 1993 to March 1994, the HVO regularly used Bosnian
Muslims detained at Ljubuski Prison and the Vitina Hangar to perform forced
labour. This labour included dangerous military-related tasks such as building
bunkers and digging trenches in combat conditions, which resulted in the death
or injury of a number of Muslim detainees.
- Particularly during the time from May to July 1993, the HVO routinely beat,
tortured, and mistreated Bosnian Muslims detained at Ljubuski Prison and the
Vitina Hangar, both at the detention facilities themselves and while engaged
in forced labour.
- Between 16 August 1993 and 28 August 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
deported the Bosnian Muslim populations of Gradska, Vitina and Ljubuski town
from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This mass deportation was accomplished by allowing
Bosnian Muslims to leave HVO concentration camps and detention facilities
only if they provided a letter of guarantee from another country willing to
accept them and their families. Bosnian Muslims from Ljubuski Municipality
were arrested, robbed of their property and subsequently deported with their
families to third countries, via the Republic of Croatia.
- From November 1993 to March 1994, many of the Bosnian Muslims detained at
the Ljubuski Prison concentration camp and the Vitina Hangar were transferred
to Gabela Prison or the Heliodrom, sent to East Mostar or ABiH-held territory
or deported to third countries.
- In September 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces destroyed the mosque in the
village of Gradska, as part of the continuing persecution directed against
the Bosnian Muslims.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC are
responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged in Count
1; deportation (Count 6); unlawful deportation of a civilian
(Count 7); inhumane acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful
transfer of a civilian (Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful
confinement of a civilian (Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of
confinement) (Count 12); inhuman treatment (conditions of confinement)
(Count 13); cruel treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 14);
inhumane acts (Count 15); inhuman treatment (Count 16); cruel
treatment (Count 17); and destruction or wilful damage to institutions
dedicated to religion or education (Count 21).
STOLAC MUNICIPALITY
- Stolac Municipality is located in southwest Bosnia and Herzegovina, with
a 1991 population of approximately 18,681 persons. According to the 1991 census,
43.4% of the population (8,101 persons) declared themselves Muslim, and 33.1%
(6,188 people) declared themselves Croat. The main town in the municipality
is Stolac town, with a 1991 population of approximately 5,530 persons. About
62% of the town's inhabitants (3,426 persons) declared themselves Muslim,
and approximately 12% (653 persons) declared themselves Croat.
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Stolac Municipality
as part of Herceg-Bosna, despite the fact that Bosnian Croats constituted
a minority in the municipality. As in other municipalities described in this
indictment, there were growing tensions between the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and Bosnian Muslim population in 1992 and 1993, with increasing HVO persecution
against the Muslims. When Bosnian Serb forces and much of the Serb population
left Stolac town in mid-1992, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities took control
of the town.
- Despite the HVO's efforts to Croatise the institutions and population in
Stolac Municipality, the municipality's Bosnian Muslims rejected Herceg-Bosna/HVO
control. In December 1992, the Bosnian Muslim members of the Stolac Crisis
Staff refused to endorse the incorporation of Stolac Municipality into Herceg-Bosna.
- During the early part of 1993, tensions between the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities
and the Bosnian Muslims increased. Around 20 April 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities arrested prominent Bosnian Muslims in Stolac Municipality (including
the Bosnian Muslim members of the Stolac Crisis Staff) and detained them for
varying periods of time in HVO detention facilities at Dretelj, Gabela, Ljubuski
and the Heliodrom.
- On or about 10 May 1993, the HVO converted the Kostana Hospital in Stolac
to an HVO Military Police facility and transferred the hospital’s bone disease
patients to the Grabovina barracks in Capljina Municipality. The HVO then
used the Kostana Hospital building as a short-term detention facility for
Bosnian Muslim men.
- As described above, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities, in July 1993, carried
out a massive, orchestrated campaign to expel, cleanse and forcibly transfer
Bosnian Muslims from various parts of Herzegovina, including Stolac Municipality.
After first arresting and detaining most of the Bosnian Muslim men, the HVO
systematically removed Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly from their
homes and ultimately expelled them to ABiH-controlled areas. In the course
of expelling the Bosnian Muslim civilians, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces robbed
them of their property.
- On or about 6 July 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities forcibly expelled
Bosnian Muslim civilians from in or around the village of Prenj.
- On or about 12-15 July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled Bosnian Muslim
civilians from in or around the villages of Aladinici, Pjesivac Greda and
Rotimlja on the Dubrave Plateau. In the course of forcibly expelling Bosnian
Muslim civilians from Pjesivac Greda on 12-13 July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces shot and killed an eighteen-year-old Bosnian Muslim woman. (Annex)
- In the course of expelling Bosnian Muslim civilians from the Dubrave Plateau,
Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces, on 13-15 July 1993, destroyed Bosnian Muslim houses
in Aladinici and Rotimlja, including Muslim houses and property in the Huskovici,
Medine and Selo parts of Rotimlja. Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces destroyed the mosques
in Aladinici and Rotimlja on 14 July 1993.
- On 13-14 July 1993, in Stolac town, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled Bosnian
Muslim women, children and elderly and destroyed the Sultan Selim Mosque (also
known as the Emperor Mosque).
- In late July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces destroyed Bosnian Muslim houses
and property in Borojevici.
- On 4-5 August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces destroyed Bosnian Muslim houses
and property in Prenj, including the mosque.
- On or about 4 August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities forcibly expelled
additional Bosnian Muslim civilians from Stolac town. During or about the
time of 4 August 1993, the HVO destroyed the Begovina Complex and the old
town center (including the market) in Stolac town, and three additional mosques
-- the Ali Pasa Rizvanbegovic Mosque, the Hadzi Alija Hadzisalihovic Mosque
and the Ismail Kapetan Saric Mosque. Including the earlier expulsions on 13-14
July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled the vast majority of all Bosnian
Muslims from Stolac town, totalling more than 3,000 persons.
- As part of the expulsion campaign, Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities immediately
placed Bosnian Muslims (primarily women, children and elderly) on trucks and
buses and transported them to Muslim enclaves or ABiH-held territory or its
vicinity. From there, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities forced or told the
detainees to walk to such enclaves or territory. In Buna especially, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities forced Bosnian Muslims to walk to Blagaj, often under gunfire.
- In other instances, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities detained or held Bosnian
Muslim civilians at various locations, including the Crnici School, the TGA
factory and the VPD (Stolac Juvenile Correction Center), as well as the Silos
in Capljina town. At other locations, Bosnian Muslim civilians were kept in
private houses and severely limited in their freedom of movement. The conditions
and practices at these locations were inhumane and overcrowded, involving
cruel treatment, insufficient food and water, and inadequate sanitary facilities,
bedding and medical care. Many of those detained were eventually transferred
to ABiH-controlled areas.
- During the summer and fall of 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO members severely mistreated
Bosnian Muslim men held at the Kostana Hospital detention facility, kicking
and beating them with batons, clubs, rifle butts and chairs, often in the
course of interrogations and for prolonged periods. Many Muslim detainees
died or were seriously injured by this mistreatment, with at least five Muslim
men dying between July and mid-October 1993. (Annex) (One of the Muslim men
died from his injuries after he was moved to Dretelj Prison.)
- By the latter part of September 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO leaders assured President
Tudjman in Zagreb that not a single Muslim remained in Stolac Municipality,
and that the HVO had re-populated and filled the Muslim homes in the area
with Croats from Central Bosnia.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC
are responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged
in Count 1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); inhumane
acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer of a civilian
(Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement of
a civilian (Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of confinement)
(Count 12); inhuman treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 13);
cruel treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane
acts (Count 15); inhuman treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment
(Count 17); extensive destruction of property (Count 19); wanton
destruction (Count 20); destruction or wilful damage to institutions
dedicated to religion or education (Count 21); appropriation of property
(Count 22); and plunder (Count 23).
CAPLJINA MUNICIPALITY
- Capljina Municipality is located in southwest Bosnia and Herzegovina, with
a 1991 population of approximately 27,882 persons. According to the 1991 census,
53.7% of the municipality's inhabitants (or about 14,969 persons) declared
themselves Croat, and 27.5% (7,672 persons) Muslim. The Bosnian Muslim population
was concentrated in the municipality's principal town, Capljina, and in villages
on the Dubrave Plateau, which straddles Stolac and Capljina Municipalities.
In 1991, about 41% (or 3,067 persons) of Capljina town's inhabitants declared
themselves Croat, and 29.4% (or 2,191 persons) as Muslim.
- The 18 November 1991 proclamation of Herceg-Bosna included Capljina Municipality
as part of Herceg-Bosna. As in other municipalities described in this indictment,
there were growing tensions between the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities and Bosnian
Muslim population in 1992 and 1993, with increasing HVO persecution against
the Muslims.
- Around 20 April 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities arrested a substantial
number of Bosnian Muslim men in Capljina Municipality, including prominent
Muslim men in that area, and detained them at various HVO detention facilities
(including the Grabovina barracks) for varying periods of time.
- The HVO's conduct and practices in the systematic and large-scale arrests
and expulsions in other parts of Herzegovina in July 1993 were also applied
to Bosnian Muslims in Capljina Municipality. After first arresting and detaining
most of the Bosnian Muslim men, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities systematically
removed Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly from their homes, and expelled
them to ABiH-controlled areas or other countries, via the Republic of Croatia.
In the course of expelling the Bosnian Muslims, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
robbed them of their property.
- During the days around 13 July 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities forcibly
expelled Bosnian Muslim civilians from or around the village of Domanovici.
During these expulsions, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces shot and killed two young
Bosnian Muslim women. (Annex)
- During the days around 13 July 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled
Bosnian Muslim civilians from or around the village of Bivolje Brdo. In the
course of these expulsions, HVO soldiers shot and killed an 83-year-old Bosnian
Muslim man at his home in the Kevcici hamlet, and destroyed Bosnian Muslim
houses. (Annex) On 16 July 1993, in the course of expelling Bosnian
Muslims from Bivolje Brdo, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces separated twelve Bosnian
Muslim men, who went missing and were never seen alive again. (Annex)
- Around 13 July 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled Bosnian Muslim
civilians from in or around the village of Pocitelj. Between 27 July 1993
and 5 August 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces evicted additional Bosnian
Muslims from Pocitelj, including many who had fled there from other villages.
The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces loaded many of the Muslim civilians onto trucks
and took them to Buna, where they were made to walk to Blagaj (which was part
of the East Mostar enclave).
- Around 13 July 1993, and again from 27 July 1993 to 5 August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces forcibly expelled Bosnian Muslim civilians from in or around the village
of Oplicici. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces burnt and dynamited Bosnian Muslim
houses and buildings in Oplicici on 4 August 1993, and destroyed the mosque
in Oplicici on 7 August 1993.
- During the time from 13 July to 15 July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled
Bosnian Muslim civilians from in or around the village of Lokve. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces destroyed the mosque in or about Lokve on 14 July 1993 and destroyed
Bosnian Muslim houses there on 16 July 1993.
- On about 14 July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces destroyed the mosque in or
about the village of Visici. On 11 August 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled
Bosnian Muslim civilians from the village of Visici, initially detaining them
for several days at Silos in Capljina town, and then evicting them from HVO-held
territory.
- During August and September 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces expelled and forcibly
transferred Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly from Capljina town.
The main expulsion occurred on or about 23 August 1993, when Herceg-Bosna/HVO
forces loaded about 3,000 Bosnian Muslim civilians into a large convoy of
trucks and removed them from the town. After a brief stop at Silos, where
their personal property was taken from them, the Muslim civilians were removed
to ABiH-held territory. Around 29 September 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces
expelled the last remaining Bosnian Muslims from Capljina town, even though
many of these civilians had obtained letters of guarantee to go to other countries.
Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces took the civilians to Buna and made them walk to Blagaj.
- During and as part of the expulsions, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities placed
some Bosnian Muslims on trucks and buses and transported them to Muslim enclaves
or ABiH-held territory (or to its vicinity, from where they were told or forced
to walk to such enclaves or territory). The HVO detained other Bosnian Muslim
civilians for varying periods of time at various locations, such as the Silos
in Capljina town, the Crnici school in Stolac Municipality and at various
houses and schools. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities often held the detained
Bosnian Muslims in inhumane, overcrowded, and cruel conditions, with insufficient
food and water and inadequate sanitary facilities, bedding, and medical care.
Many of those detained were eventually transferred to ABiH-controlled areas,
or deported to other countries, via the Republic of Croatia.
- When the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities converted the Kostana Hospital in
Stolac Municipality to an HVO Military Police facility on about 10 May 1993,
the HVO transferred the bone disease patients (most of whom were unable to
move by themselves), to the Grabovina barracks in Capljina Municipality. On
24 July 1993, Herceg-Bosna/HVO forces harshly loaded these bone disease patients
onto the back of a truck without their wheelchairs or other medical aids,
saying that the wheelchairs and aids would not be needed. The truck's Bosnian
Muslim driver ignored the HVO's instructions to drive the truck to an isolated
part of HVO-controlled territory and took the patients instead to an ABiH-controlled
area.
- From July to September 1993, the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities expelled and
forcibly transferred or deported thousands of Bosnian Muslim civilians from
Capljina Municipality.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC are
responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged in Count
1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); deportation
(Count 6); unlawful deportation of a civilian (Count 7); inhumane
acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer of a civilian
(Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement of a civilian
(Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of confinement) (Count 12);
inhuman treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 13); cruel treatment
(conditions of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane acts (Count 15);
inhuman treatment (Count 16); cruel treatment Count 17); extensive
destruction of property (Count 19); wanton destruction (Count
20); destruction or wilful damage to institutions dedicated to religion
or education (Count 21), appropriation of property (Count
22); and plunder (Count 23).
DRETELJ DISTRICT MILITARY PRISON
- Dretelj is a village located in Capljina Municipality, approximately 1.5
kilometers from Capljina town. The Dretelj District Military
Prison ("Dretelj Prison") was part of, or located alongside, the Dretelj Barracks,
and consisted of five tin hangars and two ammunition storage tunnels. The
HVO used Dretelj Prison in 1992 and the first half of 1993 to hold arrested
and captured Serbs.
- The HVO detained Bosnian Muslim men at the Dretelj Prison concentration
camp primarily from April to September 1993, with some Muslims detained there
until approximately April 1994. The prison population at Dretelj Prison peaked
on 11 July 1993, when the HVO detained approximately 2,270 Bosnian Muslim
men at the prison. After that, the detainee population averaged about 1,700
Muslim men.
- As described elsewhere, during the time from 30 June until mid-July 1993,
the Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities conducted mass arrests of Bosnian Muslim
men, including Muslim members of the HVO, and detained many of them at Dretelj
Prison. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities held and continued to detain Bosnian
Muslim men at the Dretelj Prison concentration camp irrespective of their
civilian or military status, including a number of boys younger than sixteen
and men older than sixty. The Herceg-Bosna/HVO authorities made no bona
fide or adequate effort to distinguish military detainees from civilians,
or to provide generally for the release of civilian detainees. During August
and September 1993, the HVO criteria for releasing Bosnian Muslim men from
detention included being married to a Croat woman or possessing a visa and
letter of guarantee to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina to another country. Many
Bosnian Muslims detained at Dretelj Prison were deported by the Herceg-Bosna/HVO
authorities to other countries, via the Republic of Croatia.
- Conditions at Dretelj Prison were harsh and unhealthy due to overcrowding,
bad ventilation, no beds and insufficient bedding, and inadequate sanitary
facilities. The HVO provided the detainees with insufficient food and water
and often made them eat under cruel and humiliating circumstances. In the
heat of mid-July 1993, the HVO kept detainees locked up without food and water
for a number of days, resulting in the death of at least one Bosnian Muslim
detainee.
- Throughout the time that Bosnian Muslims were detained at Dretelj Prison,
HVO members, including the prison warden and members of HVO units not attached
to the prison, subjected detainees to beatings and cruel treatment, including
constant fear of physical and mental abuse. Bosnian Muslim detainees were
sometimes forced or instigated to beat or abuse other Muslim detainees. Muslim
detainees held in the isolation cell were particularly brutalised. Muslim
detainees were harassed, subjected to ethnic insults and humiliated.
- The HVO acts and practices resulted in the serious injury and occasional
death of many Bosnian Muslim detainees. At least four Bosnian Muslim detainees
died at the Dretelj Prison concentration camp as a result of being beaten
or shot by HVO members. (Annex)
- The HVO denied international observers and humanitarian organisations access
to Dretelj Prison until approximately August 1993. At the end of August 1993,
the HVO moved detained Muslim clerics, detainees in the worst physical condition
and detainees held in the isolation cell to another location (Silos) in Capljina,
in order to conceal them from representatives of the International Committee
of the Red Cross who visited the prison in early September 1993.
- By the foregoing acts, conduct, practices and omissions and as further described
in Paragraphs 15-17, 39 and 218-230, JADRANKO PRLIC, BRUNO STOJIC, SLOBODAN
PRALJAK, MILIVOJ PETKOVIC, VALENTIN CORIC and BERISLAV PUSIC are
responsible for the following crimes: persecutions, as charged in Count
1; murder (Count 2); wilful killing (Count 3); deportation
(Count 6); unlawful deportation of a civilian (Count 7); inhumane
acts (forcible transfer) (Count 8); unlawful transfer of a civilian
(Count 9); imprisonment (Count 10); unlawful confinement of a civilian
(Count 11); inhumane acts (conditions of confinement) (Count 12); inhuman
treatment (conditions of confinement) (Count 13); cruel treatment
(conditions of confinement) (Count 14); inhumane acts (Count 15);
inhuman treatment (Count 16); and cruel treatment (Count 17).
GABELA DISTRICT MILITARY PRISON
- Gabela is a village located in Capljina Municipality, approximately 4.1
kilometers south of Capljina town. The Gabela District Military Prison ("Gabela
Prison") was located outside Gabela in a former JNA logistics base, where
detainees were held in four tin hangers.
- Al