SOLDIER SHOT IN LEG DURING EXECUTION TESTIFIES IN 'GOSPIC GROUP' TRIAL

RIJEKA, Feb 8 (Hina) - The commander of the Gospic 118th Brigade's reconnaissance unit from 1991, who two witnesses in the trial of the so-called Gospic group accused of war crimes against civilians in Gospic in 1991 claimed was wounded during an execution at Pazariste near Gospic, testified before the Rijeka County Court on Friday. Nikola Zdunic aka Hrga said he knew nothing about the so-called "deadly meeting" of the Gospic crisis headquarters, at which the execution of the civilians was agreed. Asked about his presence at the execution site, Zdunic said he had been sent there to secure a weapons transport route. He could not say from whom he had received orders to go to Pazariste. The witness said he arrived at the site with two other soldiers from his platoon. Several hours later two cars arrived at a nearby location, after which a truck arrived. Zdunic said he could not see the vehicles clearly. The witness heard shouts, followed by five to six shots. After he heard the firing, he started towards the vehicles but after some 30 metres was shot in the leg. He was taken to hospital by the other two soldiers. While driving by the cars and the truck, Zdunic saw a group of some 15 people, but did not recognise anyone. The court today also heard the testimony of a woman whose mother was abducted from Karlobag in October 1991 and was never heard of again. When the witness phoned the commander of the local police station, where her mother had been working, she was told the police did not know anything about the disappearance and not to call again. The identity of the witness's mother was established with the help of DNA analysis after her remains were discovered. The trial resumes on Monday. (hina) rml