Mujahed on “Bosnian army side, not under its control”

Mujahed on “Bosnian army side, not under its control”

General Delić is charged with command responsibility for the failure to prevent or punish the crimes committed by members of that detachment.

The defense started the cross-examination of the former Mujahid by pointing to the difficult situation in Central Bosnia in late 1992 and early 1993, because of a huge influx of the refugees from the ethnically cleansed areas in Eastern Bosnia and Bosnian Krajina.

Another point made by the defense was the disorganization and chaos in the Bosnian Army units in the area. The witness was shown a document originating from the 306th Brigade from late July 1993, informing the superior command that large numbers of soldiers were leaving the brigade ranks and joining other units, because the 306th was unable to arm and equip them.

Begović confirmed that he was among those who had left the 306th Brigade, adding that the soldiers joined the “Arabs” – the Mujahideen – because they offered military training, study of “true Islam” and sometimes financial assistance to the soldiers and their families.

The defense went on to note that other than El Mujahed Detachment, there were other Arab groups operating in Central Bosnia: in Tešanj, near Visoko, in Bistričak, Gluha Bukovica and Željezno Polje.

Those Arab groups and the “Turkish guerilla” from Zenica “never were under the command of El Mujahed Detachment”, the defense put to the witness. The witness confirmed that, saying that they fought “independently, side by side with the Army”.

“Arabs go into combat as if they were going to a football match”, he added.

This response prompted the judges to ask the witness to clarify on whose side and against whom the groups fought. They also wanted to know whether their actions had been coordinated with the Bosnian Army.

The Arabs fought on the Bosnian Army’s side, against the Republika Srpska Army, the witness said. He didn’t know anything about the coordination.

Vasvija Vidović, representing General Delić, then put it to the witness that when he said that the Arabs “fought on the Bosnian Army’s side” he actually meant that they “fought the same enemy”. Sinan Begović confirmed that, adding he knew nothing about control.

The prosecution then called a new witness, Hasib Alić. He is also a former member of El Mujahed Detachment.