RIJEKA, March 11 (Hina) - The trial of the so-called Gospic group continued in Rijeka on Monday with the testimony of witnesses. The group consists of five men indicted for crimes against Serb civilians in Gospic in 1991. There was a
dispute over the notebook of a witness, Zeljko Bolf, which was offered as evidence. The attorney for Tihomir Oreskovic, the principal defendant, objected to its introduction, but the Supreme Court rejected his appeal. The notebook contains dates and notes from 1991, among which are details relating to making a list of Serbs, questioning them and killing civilians. The notebook was found in the police station. Bolf, who was head of the Gospic police in 1991, said he did not make notes in the notebook. Judge Ika Saric ruled that the writing be analysed by an expert. Previous witnesses said Bolf was present at the so-called fatal meeting and the liquidation of civilians near Pazariste, in the Gospic area. Bolf
RIJEKA, March 11 (Hina) - The trial of the so-called Gospic group
continued in Rijeka on Monday with the testimony of witnesses. The
group consists of five men indicted for crimes against Serb
civilians in Gospic in 1991.
There was a dispute over the notebook of a witness, Zeljko Bolf,
which was offered as evidence. The attorney for Tihomir Oreskovic,
the principal defendant, objected to its introduction, but the
Supreme Court rejected his appeal. The notebook contains dates and
notes from 1991, among which are details relating to making a list
of Serbs, questioning them and killing civilians. The notebook was
found in the police station.
Bolf, who was head of the Gospic police in 1991, said he did not make
notes in the notebook. Judge Ika Saric ruled that the writing be
analysed by an expert. Previous witnesses said Bolf was present at
the so-called fatal meeting and the liquidation of civilians near
Pazariste, in the Gospic area.
Bolf said he was not in charge of making the list of Serbs and that he
does not remember certain events.
Bolf, who was a member of the former Yugoslav secret police, UDBA,
until 1991, complained that he has been wiretapped and exposed to
pressure.
He said he had found out about the liquidation of civilians in
Gospic area several years later, from the newspapers.
After Bolf's testimony, Tihomir Oreskovic said Bolf's selective
memory was a consequence of long-term, systematic pressure to make
the discovery of the truth more difficult and cover up for someone
of a higher rank.
Ivan Jurcic, at the time a member of the military police in Gospic,
testified about the police organisation and actions. He said he did
not take part in bringing in the civilians.
(hina) np sb