Memic et al: Denying Expert Witness' Conclusions

While examining Nehru Ganic, expert witness in military issues, Alispago presented a few clear orders, as both of them said, issued by the Main Command Headquarters about organisational changes within the ABiH.

The indictee then presented the expert witness with an order issued by the Main Command Headquarters on April 12, 1993, according to which the "Zulfikar" Squad was transferred to the First Corps, saying that the order was not clear.

"As far as I am concerned, the order was carried out. The document does contain deficiencies, but I understand it," Ganic said.

The expert witness said that, besides this order, he did not come across any accompanying documents about the subordination of the "Zulfikar" Squad, which, according to the charges, was commanded by indictee Zulfikar Alispago in the first half of 1993.

Alispago is charged, in his capacity as Squad Commander, with having failed to undertake the necessary and reasonable measures to punish his subordinates, who committed crimes in Trusina.

His Defence attorney Bajro Cilic said that, in relation to the crime committed in Trusina, Alispago brought witnesses to the Military Security Service and requested that the case be investigated, offering to co-operate with competent commands.

The expert witness then agreed that the indictee did more than enough.

In addition to Alispago, Mensur Memic, Dzevad Salcin, Nedzad Hodzic, Nihad Bojadzic, former members of the "Zulfikar" Squad, and Senad Hakalovic, former member of "Neretvica" Brigade, are on trial for crimes committed in Trusina village, where 18 Croat civilians and four captured members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO were killed.

According to the charges, the "Zulfikar" Squad was part of the Main Command Headquarters.

In his written analysis the expert witness expressed doubts as to whether the subordination order was implemented, but he cleared his doubts away after having received additional documents for review.

Prosecutor Vesna Budimir made additional questions to him, denying the expert witness' conclusion about the subordination of the "Zulfikar" Squad to the First Corps.

He said that he did not determine who had an effective control over the Squad and that he did not see that the "Igman" Operational Group with the First Corps issued orders to the Squad.

Prosecutor Budimir presented him with a document sent by Bojadzic to the "Igman" Operational Group on April 26, 1993, saying that the document heading said: "Zulfikar" Squad of the Main Command Headquarters.

The examination of expert witness Ganic is due to continue on December 3.
                                                                                                                                A.J.