Bosnia and Herzegovina Court hears testimony in ‘Dobrovoljačka’ war crimes trial

Witnesses Zijad Hodžić and Sead Ćudić provided testimony during the ‘Dobrovoljačka’ trial at the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The proceedings involve several high-ranking political, military, and police figures, including Ejup Ganić, Zaim Backović, and Fikret Muslimović, who are accused of attacks on, killings, injuries, and abuse of Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) members and civilians.

Zijad Hodžić testified that in early 1992, he was part of the ‘Bosna 20’ unit commanded by Mušan Topalović Caco. He stated that the unit was stationed in the Toka local community, lacked uniforms, and possessed only three rifles. Hodžić addressed discrepancies in previous statements regarding the movement of weapons and JNA personnel during the period.

Sead Ćudić, a former JNA officer, testified that he returned to Sarajevo from Belgrade in mid-April 1992 after requesting a discharge. He noted a lack of formal organization within the Territorial Defense at the time, describing the situation as chaotic compared to the JNA. When questioned about JNA artillery positions shelling Sarajevo in mid-April, Ćudić stated he was aware of the shelling in Belgrade but was not familiar with the specific deployment of forces around the city.