Survivor continues testimony against Glavaš

A survivor of war crimes allegedly committed by Branimir Glavas and six other indictees continued his testimony on Monday. The trial continued at the Zagreb District Court with the testimony of Radoslav Ratkovic, one of the survivors of the execution of at least ten Serb civilians on the bank of the Drava River. Survivor continues testimony against Glavas Ratkovic testified via a video link from Belgrade. The trial was closed to the public. The testimony was organized to be linked from Belgrade because Ratkovic did not wish to travel to Croatia. His testimony will be known once judge Zeljko Horvatovic includes it in the proceedings. The witness was arrested in Osijek in 1991, and after being tortured, was taken to the bank of the river, where he was to be killed by members of a group calling itself Samostalna Uskocka Satnija that was under the command of Glavas. Ratkovic was tied duct tape and shot in the head once, and then again when he floated up to the surface of the ice-cold river. Both bullets went through his open mouth and left out of his jaw and cheek. After surviving this, Ratkovic hid along the bank, where he saw others killed. He then left the river and fell unconscious, after which he woke up in a hospital, were reports say another attempt at his life was made, but he managed to leave the city later. The indictment charges Zdravko Dragic of the shooting. The defendant has admitted to the act, telling police and the investigative judge in detail how Ratkovic was kidnapped, tortured and taken out to be executed. However, in January Dragic said that his testimony was false and that he was forced to admit to the crime by police officers so that he would not be charged for other crimes. Dragic’s lawyer, however, said that his client at the time expressly refused his advice to remain silent, and said that he wanted to tell the truth, without being enticed or forced to do so. It is also interesting that Ratkovic’s wife saw Glavas on July 1, 1991, telling police in villages near Osijek to move into control points where the Osijek police chief and two Serb officials were killed and one was wounded. It is suspected that the attempt to murder Ratkovic was related to this. Glavas is accused of ordering the imprisonment and torture of five Serb civilians and the murder of two, as well as the imprisonment and execution of at least ten Serb civilians on the bank of the Drava River, while six other defendants are accused of executing his orders.

Survivor continues testimony against Glavaš

Ratković testified via a video link from Belgrade. The trial was closed to the public.

The testimony was organized to be linked from Belgrade because Ratković did not wish to travel to Croatia. His testimony will be known once judge Željko Horvatović includes it in the proceedings.

The witness was arrested in Osijek in 1991, and after being tortured, was taken to the bank of the river, where he was to be killed by members of a group calling itself Samostalna Uskočka Satnija that was under the command of Glavaš.

Ratković was tied duct tape and shot in the head once, and then again when he floated up to the surface of the ice-cold river. Both bullets went through his open mouth and left out of his jaw and cheek.

After surviving this, Ratković hid along the bank, where he saw others killed. He then left the river and fell unconscious, after which he woke up in a hospital, were reports say another attempt at his life was made, but he managed to leave the city later.

The indictment charges Zdravko Dragić of the shooting. The defendant has admitted to the act, telling police and the investigative judge in detail how Ratković was kidnapped, tortured and taken out to be executed.

However, in January Dragić said that his testimony was false and that he was forced to admit to the crime by police officers so that he would not be charged for other crimes.

Dragić’s lawyer, however, said that his client at the time expressly refused his advice to remain silent, and said that he wanted to tell the truth, without being enticed or forced to do so.

It is also interesting that Ratković’s wife saw Glavaš on July 1, 1991, telling police in villages near Osijek to move into control points where the Osijek police chief and two Serb officials were killed and one was wounded. It is suspected that the attempt to murder Ratković was related to this.

Glavaš is accused of ordering the imprisonment and torture of five Serb civilians and the murder of two, as well as the imprisonment and execution of at least ten Serb civilians on the bank of the Drava River, while six other defendants are accused of executing his orders.