The accused -- former commander Stjepan Klaric and his subordinates Drazen Pavlovic, Viktor Ivancin, Zeljko Zivec and Goran Strukelj -- dismissed the charges of grave physical and mental torture of Yugoslav army soldiers and Serb civilians, most of whom were arrested in the Zagreb and Sisak areas.
The indictment says that POWs were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and oral sex. Among the detainees were about a dozen women who were sexually abused; among them was a pregnant woman who had a miscarriage as a result of being abused.
The prosecution claims that Klaric allowed his subordinates to abuse the prisoners and that he personally took part in it. The accused are also charged with doing nothing to prevent the abuse and punish the perpetrators.
The court will hear about 80 witnesses.
The next hearing was set for May 16.