Un Report Special Forces

Special forces
United Nations - Security Council
S/1994/674/Add.2 (Vol. I)
28 December 1994
Final report of the United Nations Commission of Experts

established pursuant to
security council resolution 780 (1992)
Annex III.A
Special forces
Under the Direction of:

M. Cherif Bassiouni
Chairman and Rapporteur on the Gathering
and Analysis of the Facts, Commission of Experts
Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (1992)
Principal Legal Anaylst:

Mark W. Bennett, IHRLI Staff Attorney
Contributors:
Georgann M. Grabiec, IHRLI Staff Attorney
Diane Silverman, IHRLI Volunteer Analyst
John Stompor, IHRLI Staff Analyst
John Tomasic, IHRLI Staff Analyst
Carson A. Wetzel, IHRLI Staff Attorney
Stacey White, IHRLI Staff Analyst
Annex III.A
Special forces
I. Introduction
A. Methodology
B. Brief military history
C. Summary analysis
D. General observations
II. Major special forces working in support of the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina
(BiH), Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), and the so-called «Bosnian Serb
Republic» and «Serb Republic of Krajina»
A. Introduction
B. Forces operating in support of BiH - the Green Berets and Mujahedin
1. The Green Berets
2. Mujahedin
C. Paramilitaries operating in support of the Croatian Government
1. The Croatian Defence Forces (HOS)
2. Paramilitary forces under the command of Jusuf Prazina, alias «Juka»
D. Paramilitary forces operating in support of FRY and the self-proclaimed Serb
Republic in Croatia and BiH
1. Scope of military operations
2. Ties with the Governments of FRY, the self-declared Serbian Republics, and
the JNA
3. Political prominence
4. Allegations of war crimes
5. Summary of reported paramilitary activity
6. Personal histories of Vojislav Seselj and Zeljko Raznjatovic
III. Other identified paramilitary groups
A. Paramilitary groups operating in support of the Government of BiH
B. Paramilitary groups working in support of the Government of Croatia
C. Paramilitary groups working in support of the Government of Serbia
D. Paramilitary groups from outside the former Yugoslavia
IV. Analysis of reported paramilitary activity by geographic location
A. BiH
1. Banja Luka County
2. Bihac County
3. Bijeljina County
4. Bileca County
5. Bosanska Krupa County
6. Bosanska Raca (county unknown)
7. Bosanski Brod
8. Bosanski Novi County
9. Bosanski Samac County
10. Bratunac County
11. Brcko County
12. Cajnice County
13. Derventa County
14. Doboj County
15. Donji Vakuf County
16. Dragovici (county unknown)
17. Foca County
18. Gacko County
19. Gorazde County
20. Jablanica County
21. Kalinovik County
22. Konjic County
23. Kupres County
24. Livno County
25. Maglaj County
26. Modrica County
27. Mostar County
28. Nevesinje County
29. Novi Travnik County
30. Odzak County
31. Pale County
32. Prijedor County
33. Rogatica County
34. Sanski Most County
35. Sarajevo County
36. Srebrenica County
37. Teslic County
38. Tomislavgrad County
39. Travnik County
40. Tuzla County
41. Veljina
42. Visegrad County
43. Vitez County
44. Vogosca County
45. Zenica County
46. Zvornik County
B. Croatia
1. Beli Manastir County
2. Benkovac County
3. Daruvar County
4. Dvor County
5. Glina County
6. Gracac County
7. Grubisno Polje County
8. Knin County
9. Krajina
10. Metkovic County
11. Nova Gradiska County
12. Osijek County
13. Pakrac County
14. Petrinja County
15. Podravska Slatina County
16. Sisak County
17. Slavonska Pozega County
18. Split County
19. Titova Korenica County
20. Virovitica County
21. Vukovar County
22. Zadar County
C. Serbia
1. Hrtkovci
2. Kosovo
3. Pljevlja
4. Sandzak
5. Vojvodina
I. Introduction
The conflict in the former Yugoslavia has seen the widespread use of paramilitary
organizations within the territories of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the Republic
of Croatia, and to a lesser extent, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The use of
paramilitary organizations by all «warring factions» must be viewed in the context of the breakup of
Yugoslavia and the structure of the military before the breakup. *1 In the period of 1989-1991,
political ferment indicated that a breakup of Yugoslavia was likely. However, there were no
indications as to how the country would be divided. The rise of nationalism and ethnic tension
caused Yugoslavs to become concerned for their own safety. This concern over their own self-
defence, combined with the rhetoric of nationalist politicians, led many Yugoslavs to arm
themselves. Furthermore, uncertainty about the Yugoslav National Army's (JNA) role in post-
Communist Yugoslavia led many to conclude that paramilitary organizations were a necessity.
The creation of paramilitary groups was further fueled by the wide circulation of stories of
atrocities committed by all sides. Serbs, for example, were shown pictures allegedly depicting the
Mujahedin forces holding the severed heads of Serb soldiers. All sides viewed themselves as
victims, not as perpetrators, thereby creating a desire for revenge and providing justification for
their own deeds.
Paramilitary organizations exist in several forms. Some are highly-organized groups and
operate in several theatres in conjunction with regular military formations. Others are loosely
organized and act alone in a single village or on an ad hoc basis. Some of the groups preceded the
conflict, others followed it. Still others were formed as the need arose during the conflict. These
groups have been organized by the governments or militaries of the warring factions, by political
parties, as well as by local police, political, military or community leaders. The members of these
paramilitary organizations have been drawn from the regular army, Territorial Defence forces, local
militia and police, local civilians, expatriots, and foreign nationals. According to some reports, the
paramilitary organizations also include criminals released from prison solely for the purpose of
forming these units.
For purposes of this report, the paramilitary forces operating in the territory of the former
Yugoslavia can be classified into four categories: Special Forces, «Militias», «Paramilitary units»,
and «police augmented by armed civilians». *2 Special Forces usually operate with substantial
autonomy under the command of an identified leader. They operate in several theatres, and
sometimes engage in joint operations with the regular militaries. These groups are supplied, and
often trained, by the governments they serve. Many of these Special Forces report solely to senior
political officials. «Militias» consist of members of the former Territorial Defence Forces. They
frequently operate jointly, in the geographic area from which they originate under the command of
the regular army. «Paramilitary units» are forces under the command of a local leader. Their area of
operation is often confined to the town or village from which the members were drawn, although
they may occasionally operate alongside similar groups in other towns or villages. The «police
augmented by armed civilians» are forces that operate within a given county *3 under local,
sometimes political, leadership. These forces frequently act with autonomy, although they are
reported to be under the control of the Ministry of Interior or other political organizations. For
purposes of this report, groups from these categories will be referred to generically as paramilitary
groups, unless otherwise indicated.
This report attempts to identify the paramilitary organizations working in support of all three
warring factions in the former Yugoslavia. It also discusses how these groups operate in relation to
the regular military command of the respective factions. Furthermore, this report discusses the
reported activity of these groups.
This report begins with a discussion of the research methodology, and is followed by a brief
discussion of the pre- conflict military defence doctrine of the former Yugoslavia. This doctrine,
with its reliance on a decentralized command structure and locally-based weapons caches, provided
fertile ground for the creation of paramilitary groups. This discussion is followed by a summary
analysis of the data. Section II discusses the activity of six of the most prolific paramilitary
organizations: the Green Berets and Mujahedin, working in support of the government of BiH; the
HOS and troops under the command of Jusuf Prazina, working in support of the Croatian
government; and those groups under the command of Vojislav Seselj and Zeljko Raznjatovic (nom
de guerre Arkan), working in support of the government of Serbia and the self-declared Serb
Republics. Section III is a listing of the other identified paramilitary organizations containing all
reported vital statistics, and Section IV discusses paramilitary activity by geographic location.
A. Methodology
This report is based on information contained in documents and audio and video tapes received
by the Commission of Experts and the International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI), as well
as on information gathered from searches of the NEXIS and FBIS media databases. All of the
organizations referred to in paragraph 4 operated in substitution for, or supplementing, a regular
military force.*4 All documents and media reports in the possession of IHRLI were reviewed, and
those containing allegations of paramilitary activity were analysed. A large number of these reports
referred to paramilitary groups generically (i.e., Serbian paramilitaries or irregular forces).
Although these reports were consulted, only those reports referring to a paramilitary organization by
name (i.e., Tigers, Yellow Ants), or by specific leaders or group members (i.e., paramilitary forces
under Dragan Ikanovic), are included in the statistical data below.
Information sheets were created for each identified paramilitary organization containing the
following information: name of unit, ethnicity, uniform, number of troops, place of origin, area(s)
of operation, political affiliation, leader(s), alleged members, source of information, and the alleged
activity. These information sheets were then used to compare information on the paramilitary
groups in a standardized format.
This report is limited by the quality and quantity of the documents received by the
Commission. In addition, the Commission was not able to verify much of the information that it
received. Consequently, this report should not be considered all inclusive, though it is
comprehensive. Subsequent investigation may identify additional paramilitary groups and facts that
have not yet been discovered that may bear upon the information contained in this report.
B. Brief military history *5
Stalin's expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Cominform led to fears of a Soviet invasion. These
fears resulted in the development of a new military defence doctrine in the former Yugoslavia
called «Total National Defence». *6 This doctrine was designed to defeat a Soviet invasion by
mobilizing all of the nation's cultural, societal, and military resources. The Communist party
apparatus was tightly integrated into the military scheme, with the military structures
accommodating a «shadow» chain of command responsible to the Communist party.
Yugoslav military strategists realized national command, control, and communications facilities
were vulnerable. Therefore, they decentralized the system of command and control. The
governments of the various republics would participate with the federal government for regional
defence.
This strategy required universal military service and coordinated training in guerilla warfare.
This ensured that cadres of soldiers, trained in guerrilla warfare, would be available nationwide and
capable of operating in a decentralized command fashion. Training facilities, weapons caches, and
supply stores were placed throughout the country. The military also organized reserve units
(Territorial Defence Forces) around workplaces to ensure the wide distribution of weapons.
Thus, with the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, trained soldiers were available for
mobilization, and weapons and ammunition were also available for distribution to national and local
political or military leaders and their followers. These leaders sometimes used these resources to
further their own political, military, or personal goals. This, along with the other factors, led to the
proliferation of paramilitaries throughout the republics of the former Yugoslavia.
C. Summary analysis
This study found that:
a. There are at least 83 identified paramilitary groups operating in the territories of the former
Yugoslavia: 56 are working in support of FRY and the self-declared Serbian Republics; *7
13 are working in support of the Republic of Croatia; and 14 are working in support of BiH;
b. The number of paramilitary groups, and the size of each group, has varied throughout the
course of the conflict. The number and size of the groups rise, for example, when the
conflict intensifies. The reports received indicate only a rough approximation of paramilitary
troop strength. The number of persons in paramilitary groups fighting in support of BiH
range from 4,000 to 6,000; between 12,000 and 20,000 have supported the Republic of
Croatia; and between 20,000 and 40,000 paramilitaries have fought on behalf of the self-
declared Serb Republics; *8
c. In addition to the 83 paramilitary groups, there are groups which consist of persons who
have been drawn essentially from outside the former Yugoslavia. Three groups specifically
mentioned are the Mujahedin (operating with the BiH Army), the Garibaldi Unit (an Italian
unit operating alongside the Croats), and Russian Mercenaries (operating in conjunction
with the Serbs). There are also general reports of the presence of mercenaries from
Denmark, Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States; *9
d. Paramilitary activity has been reported in 72 separate counties, *10 but the vast majority has
occurred in BiH. *11
The first report of paramilitary activity occurred in April of 1991. However, Arkan and
Vojislav Seselj began forming paramilitary organizations as early as 1990. The first reported
paramilitary operation involved Seselj's troops in Vukovar County, Croatia. The most active period
for Serb paramilitary activity in Croatia was in October of 1991. Those areas reporting the greatest
amount of paramilitary activity in Croatia were Knin, Podravska Slatina, and Vukovar.
There were no reports of paramilitary activity in BiH until early 1992. The first reports
concerned paramilitary groups supported by Arkan and Seselj. The activity in BiH was strongest in
May and June of 1992 in the areas of Bijeljina, Bratunac, Brcko, Doboj, Foca, Konjic, Modrica,
Prijedor, Sarajevo, Visegrad, and Zvornik.
Paramilitary groups working in support of FRY, or the self- proclaimed Serbian Republics,
have operated in the territories of BiH, Croatia, and FRY. Those groups working in support of
Croatia were reported to have operated in both BiH and Croatia, while those supporting BiH have
not been involved in operations outside BiH territory. *12
The vast majority of the paramilitaries acted locally, with their operations confined to a single
county, or opstina. *13 They operated under the command of a local leader with local command and
control. These groups would often coordinate their operations with regular forces or other
paramilitaries. *14 The local groups would then take control of the area after it had been secured.
The most active paramilitary groups operating throughout the area of conflict were the Serb
groups under the command of Arkan and Seselj. *15
Reliance on, or tolerance of, paramilitary and special forces served several purposes for the
military and political leaders of the respective republics. It clouded the issue of command and
control, reduced the chances of being identified, and therefore permitted the greater use of illegal
violence. Many of these groups, for example, did not wear uniforms or other conventional military
badges or symbols.
Involvement of paramilitary groups in the commission of grave breaches of the Geneva
Conventions and other violations of international humanitarian law is alleged in the vast majority of
the reports in which paramilitary groups are mentioned. The most frequently reported violations are
the killing of civilians, torture, rape, destruction of property, and looting. *16 There is also a strong
correlation between reports of paramilitary activity and reports of rape and sexual assault, detention
facilities, and mass graves. These types of activities (i.e., paramilitary activity and grave breaches of
the Geneva Conventions) tended to occur in the same counties *17 and evidence the localized nature
of the activity.
FRY, Croatia, and BiH used paramilitary forces. However, the disproportionate number of
paramilitary and special forces of Serbian ethnicity indicates that the Serbs more heavily relied on
the use of special forces to accomplish their military and strategic goals. Of 39 counties where Serb
paramilitary activity was reported, Serb paramilitary units were operating in conjunction with the
JNA in 24 of them. In comparison there were reports for five counties of joint operations between
forces operating in support of Croatia, the Croatian Army (HV), and the Croatian Defence Council
(HVO), *18 and reports for only two counties of joint operations between the Army of BiH and
forces operating in support of the Government of BiH.
The JNA was operating with the highest paramilitary activity in eight counties simultaneously:
Bijeljina, Bratunac, Brcko, Doboj, Prijedor, Sarajevo, Visegrad, and Zvornik. Excluding Sarajevo,
these counties are within the strategic arc the Serbs need to link all Serbian populations from BiH
and Croatia within a contiguous Serbian state.
There is substantial evidence that Serbian government or military officials have coordinated, or
at least have been aware of, the activities of the Serbian paramilitary or special forces:
a. Serbian paramilitary units operating in Croatia have worn federal army uniforms and used
JNA topographical maps; *19
b. There are reports of Serbian paramilitary groups or special forces entering a county at the
invitation of local political leaders. In Prijedor, a Bosnian Serb government spokesman
explained their use of Arkan: «He is very expensive, but also very efficient»;
c. In 36 of the 67 counties in which there were reports of Serbian paramilitary activity, there
was a coordination of operations between two or more groups. In comparison, only six of
the 17 counties had reported paramilitary activity in support of Croatia and five of the 11
counties had reported paramilitary activity in support of BiH;
d. Fifteen of the 55 identified groups operated in more than one county, again suggesting a
coordination of activity, compared to five Croatian and four working in support of BiH in
more than one county.
D. General observations
While paramilitary groups have links to their respective governments, the nature of these links
vary according to which agency furnishes funds, supplies, and military equipment to the group.
Thus, Arkan is said to have strong links to Serbia's Ministry of Interior. The HOS in Croatia have
links to political figures in that country, and the Green Berets have links to the Presidency of BiH.
Control of the paramilitary groups is largely a function of the internal politics of the warring
factions.
Members of ethnic and religious groups, such as Serbs, Croats, and Bosnian Muslims residing
outside of the territory of the former Yugoslavia, have participated in the conflict as mercenaries.
Some members of these groups, as well as persons of other nationalities, have been paid by the
«warring faction» which they supported. *20
In most cases, paramilitary groups have coordinated their activities with the armies of the
«warring factions». The groups that have operated with the most independence are the HOS in
Croatia and the Mujahedin in BiH. The smaller the group, the greater the tendency to operate
outside of the army's control.
In many counties, Serbian special forces supported the work of local «crisis committees» when
local militia or local police were unavailable. This further evidences the localized nature of most
paramilitary activity. In some respects, it also reflects the doctrines of guerilla warfare inspired by
Tito's World War II experience.
In BiH, Serb paramilitary activity was at its greatest level in the second half of 1992. During
this period, immediately after the JNA was officially withdrawn, there was disorganization and
confusion within the regular armed forces of the Bosnian Serb Army. This led to a lack of command
and control, and it was during this period that the greatest number of violations by Serb paramilitary
groups occurred.
Serb paramilitary members have been recruited largely from the population of persons between
the ages of 18 to 30. This population of young persons is more capable of violence and less
susceptible to control than older age cohorts. Paramilitary members have also been recruited from
prisons. It has been reported that persons convicted of violent offences were released to fight in
BiH. The Army apparently had the first pick from among these offenders. The others served in
paramilitary units.
Most of the paramilitary units sustained themselves through lootings, thefts, ransoms and
trafficking in contraband. This is especially true of the groups associated with Arkan, as discussed
below.
The largest number of violations were committed by Serb paramilitary groups fighting in BiH
in support of the breakaway Serb Republic. This can be explained, in part, by the following: There
are more Serb paramilitary groups than those fighting on behalf of the other warring factions; Serb
paramilitary groups have more members than the other groups; Serb paramilitary groups have
operated over a wider range of territory, thus they have been in contact with a larger number of
potential victims; and the Serbs have pushed a policy of «ethnic cleansing» on a wider scale than
the other groups.
II. Major special forces working in support of the governments of Bosnia and
Herzegovina (BiH), Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), and the so-
called «Bosnian Serb Republic» and «Serb Republic of Krajina»
A. Introduction
As mentioned earlier, this study identifies 83 separate paramilitary forces operating in the
former Yugoslavia. Six of these forces are discussed in greater detail below. These are the Green
Berets and Mujahedin operating in support of the government of BiH, the HOS and Juka's Army *21
operating in support of the Republic of Croatia, and the forces under the command of Arkan, *22
and Seselj, *23 operating in support of FRY and the self- declared Serbian Republics in BiH and
Croatia. These forces receive special attention because of the scope and significance of their
military operations; their direct links to their respective governments and the regular militaries of
those governments; the numerous allegations that these forces have committed «grave breaches» of
the Geneva Conventions and other violations of international humanitarian law; and, in the case of
Arkan and Seselj, their political prominence.
B. Forces operating in support of BiH - the Green Berets and Mujahedin
1. The Green Berets
(a) Scope of military operations
Reports received by the Commission on the activities of BiH paramilitary units were
essentially supplied by opposing warring factions. Their designations may not necessarily
reflect those of the BiH paramilitary units. Thus, there is not a single unit called the Green
Berets or the MOS, but several units which may have different names, but are identified as
Green Berets or MOS. For example, the 7th Muslimanska Brigada is often referred to as
MOS. It should also be noted that the Patriotic League was the political organization which
organized cells of resistance fighters, many of whom had served in the JNA or seen action in
Croatia in 1991. References hereinafter to the Green Berets does not, therefore, specifically
identify the real BiH name of the unit, if any.
Most paramilitary organizations working in support of the government of BiH are
referred to by others as «Green Berets» or «MOS». It is important to note that several
different paramilitary units wore green berets. Therefore, there was no one unit called the
«Green Berets». However, the reports of the violations committed by units wearing green
berets are combined here under one section. The units wearing green berets were reportedly
active in at least 17 counties throughout BiH. *24 They have often acted with the Muslim
Territorial Defence (MTD), and at times with the Croatian Defence Forces (HOS), the
Croatian Defence Council (HVO), other Muslim paramilitary groups, and local Bosnians.
*25 They were reported to be conducting operations against the JNA, Serbian military and
paramilitary groups the Croatian Liberation Union, and in some instances the HVO. *26 The
total number of Green Berets troops is unknown. *27
The Green Berets appear to be well-armed, *28 yet there is no clear information
indicating from where or whom they received their weapons. It has been reported that
Turkey supplied the Green Berets. The Turkish Prime Minister, Suleyman Demirel, denied
this during a meeting with then Prime Minister of FRY, Milan Panic. *29
Most of the reported Green Beret activity occurred between April 1992 and June 1993,
with the highest level of reported activity occurring between May and September of 1992.
These activites were directed by the Patriotic League.
(b) Ties with the Government and regular military of BiH
The well-armed Green Berets often acted alongside regular army battalions and often
conducted large-scale operations throughout the territory of BiH. This was in furtherance of
the government's strategic goals, which implies the government was exerting some
command and control over this group.
In the 21 October 1992 attack on Vitez, the Green Berets reportedly acted under the
command of MTD and their commander Rasim Delic. It was reported that this attack was
carried out under the orders of the MTD's Supreme headquarters in Sarajevo. *30
It has also been reported that the units that wear the green berets are loyal to President
Alija Izetbegovic. Since 1993, the Green Berets are reported to be under the command and
control of the BiH army. However, as stated before, several different units wore green
berets. Therefore, there is not a single unit per se called the «Green Berets» under the
control of the BiH army. Rather, there could be several different paramilitary groups
wearing green berets under its control.
(c) Allegations of violations
Several reports allege that the Green Berets have committed grave breaches of the
Geneva Conventions and other violations of international humanitarian law. The Green
Berets have been implicated in the killing of civilians, rapes, the operation of prison camps
(in which civilians were unlawfully detained and sometimes tortured or killed), the
destruction of property, and interference with humanitarian aid.
(d) Summary of reported paramilitary activity *31
Green Berets were highly active in military operations throughout BiH. Many reports
indicate that in the second half of 1992, the Green Berets conducted joint operations with the
HVO. In July 1992, both forces launched an offensive on the Dubrovnik-Trebinje front in
the south-west section of BiH. *32 In September 1992, the Green Berets and HVO attacked
the villages of Dobrinja, Otocac, Rajlovac, Stup, Vogosca, Zuc, and all suburbs of Sarajevo.
*33 On 10 November 1992, the Green Berets and HVO forces unsuccessfully attempted to
join in Gradacac due to the HVO's inability to break through Serbian lines. *34
When conducting offensives against towns or villages, the Green Berets, in some
instances, are reported to have targeted schools, residences, and local industries. *35
In addition to military activity against other armed forces, there are also many instances
in which Green Berets directed military action against innocent civilians. Five reports
describe Green Berets as «picking up» Serb civilians for questioning about the location of
Serb camps and weapons. *36 Serbs were usually taken from their homes to camps or other
detention facilities. Torture was often used in questioning. *37 Those arrested were often
kept in detention for unreasonably long periods of time after questioning.
There are three reports of women being picked up and taken to camps for the purpose of
being raped. *38 One report states that a young Serbian woman was arrested by two Green
Berets and taken to Viktor Bubanj in Sarajevo where she was questioned and raped
repeatedly. She only indicates that she was raped by «Muslim soldiers» and does not
specifically indicate that the Green Berets were involved. *39 Another report suggests that
the Green Berets in the village of Dzepa converted a house into a rape camp in the months
of July and August 1992. *40 It was also reported that the Green Berets would rape women
upon seizing a village. In Bradina, for example, 15 women were reportedly raped in a local
school when the village was attacked in July 1992. *41 Many of these incidents and others
are described in Annex IX, Rape and Sexual Assault.
There are several reports of Green Berets killing Serb civilians. In some instances these
civilians were killed during the attacks of villages and ambushes of transit caravans. *42 Of
particular note is an attack on Bradina on or near 25 May 1992. Eight hundred Green Berets
from Hrasnica are reported to have acted with the HVO from Kosovo and Muslim villagers
from the surrounding area in a large-scale attack on Bradina. *43 It was reported that
between 3,500 and 4,000 people took part in this attack. Fifty-seven Serb refugees who were
in Bradina were killed and buried in the churchyard of an Orthodox Church. *44 In other
instances, Green Berets entered prison camps to take Serbs to be raped or killed. *45 The
most graphic killings are reported to have occurred at the Kosevo Stadium in Sarajevo.
2. Mujahedin
(a) Introduction
Mujahedin, or «holy warriors», is a generic term for Muslim volunteers fighting in the
former Yugoslavia. Many Mujahedin originate from Muslim countries outside the former
Yugoslavia. It was reported that the Mujahedin began arriving in BiH as early as June 1992.
*46 Reports on the number of Mujahedin forces operating in BiH vary, but it is unlikely that
the Mujahedin forces have made a significant military contribution to the BiH Government's
war effort. *47 The Mujahedin forces came from several Muslim states and many of them
were veterans of the Afghan war. *48
The Mujahedin forces were reported to be under the command of the BiH Army. *49
However, they frequently acted with independence and their presence is no longer
welcomed. *50 They are alleged to be terrorizing the Muslims they came to protect in an
effort to enforce Islamic practices. *51 Their presence, the Serbs and Croats have argued, is
evidence that the Bosnian Muslims intend on turning BiH into a fundamentalist Muslim
state. *52
(b) Scope of military activity
Mujahedin forces were actively involved in military operations in seven counties
throughout BiH. *53 The dates of reported activity range from June 1992 through June 1993,
with the heaviest activity reported in Travnik, Zenica, and Konjic.
(c) Ties with the Government and regular military of BiH
Several reports indicate that the Mujahedin were placed under the command of the BiH
Army. *54 The Mujahedin forces were closely associated with the 5th Corps, the 6th and 7th
Zenica Brigades, the 7th Travnik Brigade, and the 45th Muslim Brigade which belongs to
the 6th Corps in Konjic of the Army of BiH. *55 They also allegedly fought alongside the
Muslim Police, the Krajiska Brigade from Travnik, units of Kosovo Muslims, Albanian
soldiers, and paramilitary groups such as the «Green Legion» and the «Black Swans». *56
Reports also indicate that the Mujahedin had the support of President Izetbegovic and
his government. *57 This was demonstrated in the Bihac pocket, where the Mujahedin joined
BiH forces loyal to Izetbegovic. Together, these forces battled separatist forces who entered
into a separate peace treaty with Bosnian Serbs. *58
(d) Allegations of war crimes
Reports submitted to the Commission of Experts alleged that the Mujahedin have been
responsible for the mutilation and killing of civilians, rape, looting, the destruction of
property, and the expulsion of non-Muslim populations. The deputy commander of the BiH
Army, Colonel Stjepan Siber, has said, «it was a mistake to let them [the Mujahedin] here . .
. They commit most of the atrocities and work against the interests of the Muslim people.
They have been killing, looting and stealing.» *59
(e) Summary of reported paramilitary activity *60
In Zenica, between 31 August and 2 September 1992, 250 Mujahedin troops allegedly
come to BiH from Turkey, Qatar, Bahrain and Iran. These troops worked alongside the
Green Legion and HOS paramilitary groups stationed in Zenica. The Mujahedin allegedly
also operated a camp at Arnauti. *61 It was reported that a unit of the Mujahedin, called the
«Guerilla», participated in the 16 April 1993 attack on Vitez and attempted to exchange 10
HVO hostages for foreign prisoners held in HVO prisons. *62
The Croatian Ministry of Defence is reported to have provided information about an
event occurring in June 1993 -- a joint BiH/Mujahedin unit reportedly attacked Travnik,
allegedly forcing 4,000 Croatian civilians and military personnel out of the town. *63 The
Mujahedin allegedly fought alongside the 6th Muslim Brigade from Zenica and the Krajiska
Brigade from Travnik. Witnesses stated that they saw Mujahedin operating in small patrols
ahead of the approaching BiH troops. *64
According to HVO intelligence, Mujahedin forces arrived in Travnik sometime before
June 1993 and came from Algeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. The Mujahedin trained at
a camp at Mehurici, where they were allegedly financed and equipped by a man named
Abdulah, the owner of the «Palma» video store in Travnik. *65 Once in town, the Mujahedin
were linked to the Seventh Brigade of the BiH Army, and were reportedly assembled into
units of 10 to 15 men, and moved about on regular patrols. *66 The Mujahedin created
tension in Travnik in the days prior to the attack on 3 June. One witness stated that the
Mujahedin directed their actions towards the HVO personnel in town. They allegedly
demonstrated, shouted slogans and fired their rifles in the air. *67
Mujahedin allegedly participated in the attack on Maljine in Novi Travnik on 8 June
1993, killing 20 to 30 HVO members and transporting Croatian women and children to the
training centre at Mehurici. *68
In Konjic, the Mujahedin were part of a 100 member force stationed at Liscioi and led
by Haso Hakalovic. The unit was assembled in February 1993 and included some Kosovo
Muslims and members of the Black Swans from the Igman mountain region. *69 Allegedly,
Mujahedin troops killed and expelled villagers, and looted and burned homes, when they
moved against the Jablanica- Konjic area. *70 The Mujahedin troops and members of the
Black Swans reportedly conducted occasional raids without members of BiH forces. *71
Reportedly, the Mujahedin volunteers arrived in Konjic in small groups. It was reported that
they were from Afghanistan and that they claimed to be students. They were allegedly
armed with Hekleri automatic weapons and former JNA equipment. *72 Some Mujahedin
were reportedly former students with no military experience.
Mujahedin forces were present in Mostar since early June 1993. They were reportedly
stationed in the Santica neighbourhood on the Muslim/HVO front, where they manned
bunkers, usually in groups of six or seven, armed with 7.62 millimetre semi-automatic
weapons, machine-guns, and Zolja anti-tank weapons. They were billeted in a building they
shared with the Muslim military police on the east bank of the Neretva River. The
Mujahedin forces apparently left Mostar on 15 August. *73
FRY reported that the Mujahedin began operations near Teslic in July and August of
1992. Troops from Saudi Arabia allegedly killed three Serbian Territorial Defence members
and placed the victims' severed heads on poles near the «Tesanj turret». *74 Beheadings of
Serbs by Mujahedin forces have also been reported in other areas.
The Mujahedin were also alleged to be part of the forces that invaded the village of
Trusina near Foca on 15 April 1993. According to the report, attackers wore white ribbons
on their arms and fought beside Albanian Muslim troops. Twenty-two civilians reportedly
died in the attack. *75 The Mujahedin allegedly performed crude circumcisions upon Serbian
police forces, who were later treated by an American surgeon at the Kosevo hospital in
Sarajevo. *76
C. Paramilitaries operating in support of the Croatian Government
1. The Croatian Defence Forces (HOS)
(a) Introduction
Dobroslav Paraga formed the HOS in 1991 as theo paramilitary wing of the Croatian
Party of Rights (HSP). The HOS fought Serbian rebels in Croatia and Bosnian Serb rebels
throughout western BiH until August 1992. Under General Blaz Kraljevic, the HOS
established paramilitary headquarters at Ljubuski, BiH, but the HOS reportedly took orders
from Zagreb. Local Croats and Muslims, Croatian emigres and foreign mercenaries all
fought for the HOS. Muslim fighters reportedly joined the Croatian HOS because its leaders
pledged to keep the territory of BiH intact. *77 According to military analyst Dr. Milan
Vego, Muslims made up 30 per cent of HOS forces and at least 50 per cent in the Mostar
area in March 1992. *78
The HOS reportedly wore black uniforms bearing the Croatian checkered shield, *79
that were similar to those worn by the Ustase of the Second World War. The HOS also were
reported to use the Ustase form of saluting. They carried Kalishnikov rifles, Scorpions, Uzis,
shotguns, and daggers. *80 They detained large numbers of Serbian civilians from Capljina
and Mostar counties at the Dretelj military facilities south-west of Sarajevo and in detention
centres situated along the Dalmatian coast. Villages near Bradina and Donje Selo were
reportedly targets of HOS ethnic cleansing operations. According to witness accounts, HOS
units often operated alongside Muslim Green Berets, who fought in support of the
government of BiH.
Because of its success in fighting Serb forces throughout the summer of 1992, the HOS
gained many new members. However, HOS strength was undermined after General Blaz
Kraljevic was killed in early August 1992. In an effort to maintain unity, the HVO and the
HOS signed an agreement on 23 August 1992, which officially linked the two forces under
the banner of the HVO. *81 By the early months of 1993 when relations between the
Croatian and Muslim forces fighting in western BiH broke down, Muslim civilians and
former HOS soldiers became a target of the HVO. As a result, camps like Dretelj, which
released many of the Serbian inmates imprisoned by the HOS, began filling up with Muslim
soldiers and civilians captured in fighting between Muslim forces and the HVO. *82
The HOS operated in Croatia and in Konjic, Mostar, Sarajevo, Bosanski Brod, Novi
Travnik, and Zenica Counties in BiH. The HOS reportedly ran camps where civilians were
tortured, raped and killed. Their detention facilities ranged from metal sheds in Capljina to
large camps like Dretelj in south-western BiH, where 500 prisoners were reportedly held.
(c) Ties with the Croatian Government and with the regular army
Formed as the paramilitary wing of the ultra-right HSP, the HOS reportedly trained
soldiers at former JNA facilities in Slovenia *83 and was supplied, in part, by the Republic
of Croatia. *84 There are also reports that HOS units served directly under the regular
Croatian army. A Croatian military court tried HSP leader, Dobroslav Paraga, in 1993 for
attempting to overthrow the Croatian Government. A Reuters report on the trial stated that
the «majority of HOS units were proved to be under Croatian Army Command». *85 After
1993, the HOS soldiers were integrated into the HVO.
Witness statements, media accounts, and reports from FRY allege that HOS
paramilitary units committed grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and other
violations of international humanitarian law in Croatia and in BiH. The HOS reportedly
looted, destroyed Serbian property, including 24 Orthodox churches, and killed, raped, and
mutilated civilians, including women and children. They also engaged in ethnic cleansing
and operated detention facilities where civilians were starved and tortured.
Reports sent to the Commission of Experts allege that the HOS detained civilians,
including women and children, in facilities in Croatia and in BiH. These prisoners were
often killed or abused by members of the HOS. An officer, whose name is known but not
disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons, and other HOS members allegedly
kept 40 women confined in a metal shed, which was a former munitions warehouse outside
of Capljina. *87 An HOS unit and a Muslim paramilitary unit controlled the «Viktor
Bubanj» detention facility in Sarajevo, where Serbian civilians were subjected to killing,
torture, and rape. *88 An identified HOS member allegedly interrogated prisoners at a
secondary school (perhaps at Ahmici). *89 A witness alleged that she was taken from her
home in Capljina to a tobacco factory where she was raped by members of the HOS. *90
From April to October 1992, the HOS ran the Dretelj detention facility, which contained
civilians from the Mostar and Capljina municipalities. *91 Victims stated that they were
subjected to sexual torture, beaten with truncheons and sticks, burned with cigarettes and
candles, and forced to drink urine and eat grass. *92 One victim reported that she was held in
a room with three other professional women for 10 days during which time women in the
room were raped repeatedly. *93
During the spring of 1992, the HOS and Muslim Green Berets reportedly burned two
villages in southern BiH, Donje Selo, and Bradina, and sent the inhabitants to nearby
detention facilities. Donje Selo was attacked first. Bradina was attacked on 25 May 1992.
The HOS transferred women prisoners to Konjic Sports Hall, where some of the victims
were raped. The men were taken to Celebici camp. The HOS returned to Bradina on 13 July
burned the town, and imprisoned all those who remained in an elementary school. Many
civilians allegedly died in the attacks. *94
The FRY Mission to the United Nations reported that two Serbian civilians were
tortured for a month before being killed at an HOS detention facility at Ljubuski. One of the
victims was impaled and burned to death and the other was killed with a knife. *95
In Croatia, the HOS allegedly operated the Lora camp at Split and detention facilities at
Tomislavgrad and Metkovic. All of these facilities reportedly held prisoners from the
Capljina municipality of BiH. *96
Many witnesses alleged that the HOS killed civilians outside of the camps as well, often
in the victims' homes or villages. In mid-1992, members of the HOS allegedly killed a man
and his daughter outside the B. Lalic school in Novi Travnik. On 6 May 1992, in Majevije,
BiH, members of the HOS allegedly stabbed a man over 100 times, severed his head, spilled
his brains and intestines onto the ground, and cut off his genitals and placed them in his
mouth. *97
The HOS reportedly looted and stole from civilians throughout the regions where they
operated. Statements report forced entries into apartments and theft of valuables including
money, jewelry, and documents. In Kakanj, the HOS reportedly confiscated and rented out
apartments. *98
HOS units allegedly destroyed property in BiH and in Croatia. *99 During the summer
of 1992, members of the HOS destroyed 24 Orthodox churches and two monasteries. *100
2. Paramilitary forces under the command of Jusuf Prazina, alias «Juka»
(a) Introduction
According to The Daily Telegraph, Jusuf Prazina, alias Juka, was a racketeer and
underworld figure in Sarajevo before hostilities broke out in April 1992. During the war,
Juka and his troops are reported to have killed and raped civilians in Sarajevo and Mostar.
He allegedly took hundreds of prisoners, looted houses, stole cars, and handed out Mostar
apartments to the HVO. According to these reports, he never stopped racketeering;
throughout the siege of Sarajevo, Juka reportedly controlled the black market, which
included stolen United Nations humanitarian supplies. *101
Juka, who was 30 years old in 1992, admitted being sent to jail five times before the
war. He survived an armed assault outside the military hospital in Sarajevo in May of 1992,
sustaining injuries which caused him to limp. *102
Juka attained notoriety by using his weapons and small, private army to defend Sarajevo
during the Serbian assault. His men were allegedly armed with sawed-off shotguns,
Kalishnikovs, Kochs/Hecklers. *103 Estimates of the number of men under Juka's command
during his two year involvement in the conflict range from 24 to 3,000. His troops, called
the «Wolves», reportedly wore crew-cuts, black jump-suits, sunglasses, basketball shoes,
and sometimes masks. *104
Juka joined forces with the HVO in early 1993. After the formal break between Bosnian
Muslims and Croats later that spring, Juka sided with the Croats and fought alongside the
HVO in Mostar, where he apparently led ethnic cleansing operations against Muslim
civilians. Juka had already been forced off Mount Igman (near Sarajevo) and most of his
men jailed in January 1993.
Juka reportedly flew from Sarajevo to Zagreb with the assistance of UNPROFOR and
French Lieutenant General Philippe Morillon. *105 He lived for a time in a villa on the
Dalmatian coast, given to him by the Croatian authorities, and later moved to Liege,
Belgium, where a small Yugoslav expatriate community resided. He was killed there by one
of his body guards by two gunshots to the head on 3 December 1993. *106
Juka operated first with his own private army in Sarajevo, commanded up to 3,000 men
as a BiH Army commander, and later led paramilitary forces in Mostar. In the fall of 1992,
Juka reportedly set up a stronghold on Mount Igman from which he attacked soldiers and
civilians. He also reportedly ran prison camps including the Viktor Bubanj military facilities
and the heliport detention centre outside of Mostar. Many of the prisoners at both camps
were reportedly malnourished, physically abused, and killed. Juka was defeated by Zuka in
January 1993.
(c) Ties with the Croatian and BiH Governments and with the regular army
Due to his early success in defending Sarajevo, the BiH Government granted Juka a
position as Head of Special Forces during the summer of 1992. *107 Before his appointment
to a regular army position, Juka and his men reportedly received arms through the HSP
paramilitary organization, the HOS. *108 In September, he reportedly fell out with the
Sarajevo authorities over what he perceived as the failure of commander-in-chief Sefer
Halilovic's plans for defeating the attacking Serbian forces. *109 He was asked to resign his
position as part of the General Staff after an allegedly threatening confrontation with Alija
Izetbegovic at his offices in Sarajevo. *110 His renegade activities involving his private army
and his alarming attitude towards the BiH authorities ultimately led them to issue a warrant
for his arrest in October 1992. *111 By January 1993, a Sarajevo radio broadcast stated that
Juka was being sought for «permanently working to break up the order and hierarchy in the
armed forces of the Republic of BiH». *112
After severing his ties to the BiH Government, Juka reportedly stationed himself and
approximately 200 men on Mt. Igman overlooking the city of Sarajevo. On Mount Igman,
Juka battled the BiH Army, attacking their headquarters and General Staff. According to
The Daily Telegraph, much of the fall and winter witnessed battles between Juka and the
BiH Government forces on the mountain. Command on Igman was reportedly split between
the regular army and forces loyal to Juka, which included some Muslim soldiers and the
HVO. In December 1992, the BiH Government, hoping to break the Serbian siege of the
city, reportedly supplied the Mount Igman force with artillery and T- 34, T-55, and Leopard-
I tanks. *113
After Juka joined forces with the HVO in Mostar, Croatian authorities reportedly
supplied him with a villa on the Dalmatian coast where he stayed before relocating to
Belgium during the fall of 1993. *114
Paramilitary forces operating under Juka reportedly operated in Sarajevo and Mostar
counties, BiH. Media accounts, witness statements, and reports submitted to the
Commission of Experts allege that Juka and his men ran detention facilities for Serbian
civilians near Sarajevo and for Muslims at the heliport near Mostar. On Mount Igman,
Juka's paramilitaries allegedly hijacked vehicles and detained civilians. Juka's forces
reportedly practised extortion, looting, rape, ethnic cleansing, and killing of civilians.
It was reported that Juka's forces abused their position as the city's defenders to extort
money and valuables from residents and raid the city's warehouses and shops. Witnesses
stated that Juka's men appropriated apartments and abducted and abused civilians. *116 One
witness claimed that three members of Juka's army and a commander entered an apartment
and raped a woman on 30 September 1992. According to the report, the woman died as a
result of the attack. *117 The Washington Post reported that Juka's army looted the Yugo
Sport warehouse and stole 20,000 pairs of shoes. *118
As head of the BiH Army's paramilitary units, Juka became the warden of a prison
camp set up in the Viktor Bubanj army barracks. The detention facility became known as
«Viktor Bubanj», but was also called «Juka's Prison». Over 200 prisoners were held there
and subjected to torture, hunger, and hard labour. The camp commander allegedly
committed many criminal acts, including rape and murder. *119
On Mount Igman, Juka beat and stole from soldiers and civilians alike regardless of
nationality. He reportedly confiscated automobiles and, according to The Daily Telegraph,
beat one fleeing civilian's head against the hood of a car. *120
Juka and his men reportedly conducted ethnic cleansing operations in Mostar after
joining forces with the HVO. Juka's forces evicted, imprisoned, physically abused, and
killed many civilians. The London Times reported in May 1993, that Juka and his men
drove out every Muslim civilian living in Mostar on the west bank of the Neretva river to
«deny vantage points to snipers». *121 Homes were looted and men were beaten up and
arrested. *122 Witnesses stated that sometime before 15 July 1993, Juka's forces allegedly
evicted the wealthy Muslim residents of Mostar from their apartments, which were then
looted and turned over to members of the HVO paramilitary formations. According to
reports, Juka's forces were masked and heavily armed when they surrounded the apartments.
They then blocked exits, fired their weapons in the air, and demanded that all Muslim
residents evacuate the building. *123 Witnesses stated that Juka and his men killed as many
as 700 people in and around Mostar and that they ran detention facilities for Muslim
civilians at the heliport outside the city. *124
D. Paramilitary forces operating in support of FRY and the self-proclaimed Serb

Republic in Croatia and BiH
1. Scope of military operations

Seselj's and Arkan's troops were the most active of all the paramilitary groups identified.
Seselj's troops were reported to have operated in 34 counties *125 and Arkan's troops in 28 counties
throughout BiH, Croatia, and FRY. *126 The vast majority of these counties are located within BiH.
These counties lie within the strategic arc the Serbs need to control in order to link all Serbian
populations in BiH, Croatia, and Serbia. *127 Once linked, the counties could form a contiguous
Serbian state.
Seselj began organizing and arming his paramilitary forces in late 1990 and early 1991. The
first reported activity of his troops was on 1 April 1991, six weeks before Stipe Mesic, a Croatian,
was to become president of the collective head of state of the former Yugoslavia. Seselj's operation
took place in the Vukovar village of Borovo. His troops were sent to the region to protect local
Serbs. They surrounded and attacked two local police patrols, injuring five policemen, one
critically. *128 In mid- July, Seselj's Serbian Radical Party (SRS) announced its intention to form
volunteer forces in the Krajina region of Croatia. *129 In August 1991, in an interview with Der
Spiegel, Seselj said his troops were sent «from Belgrade to the crises areas» in Croatia and BiH. He
stated, «If there are 20 to 30 Cetniks in every village, this is sufficient to encourage the people
there». *130 Seselj's troops were allegedly involved in the first paramilitary operations in BiH in
April 1992.
Arkan's first reported involvement in the conflict came on 28 November 1990. Arkan was
present at a meeting of the «council of war» of the Knin uprising. *131 On the way back from the
meeting, Arkan and his three companions were arrested in Dvor na Uni, Croatia. They had several
weapons and bombs in their possession. Arkan was tried and convicted, but he was released from
prison pending appeal. *132
It was not until October 1991, however, that Arkan formed the Serbian Volunteer Guard, later
renamed the Tigers. *133 Training centres were established in Tenja and Erdut, Croatia. *134
When fighting began in Croatia, the Tigers were thought to have no more than 200 troops, but
their regular strength was said to be only 60. *135 Although Arkan had more recently claimed that
his Tigers had as many as 8,000 men, independent military analysts estimated the number to be
closer to 500 to 1,000. *136 The Tigers are well-armed with tanks, mortars, sniper guns, AK-47 sub-
machine-guns, and Scorpion sub-machine-guns. *137
2. Ties with the Governments of FRY, the self-declared Serbian Republics, and the JNA
(a) Vojislav Seselj
There is substantial evidence that Seselj and his paramilitary formations have direct
links to, or the support of, the Serbian governments and the JNA:
a. Seselj has stated that his paramilitary forces have received weapons from the JNA;
*138
b. The JNA and Seselj's troops operated in 14 counties simultaneously, suggesting that
their operations were coordinated. Some of the reports indicated that they were
conducting joint operations, while others alleged that the JNA permitted Seselj's
troops to attack without intervening;
c. In the BiH county of Kalinovik, the presence of Seselj's men was reportedly
requested to restore order to the local troops by Commander Ratko Mladic;
d. Seselj has regularly transported plundered goods from BiH into Serbia, with the
apparent permission of Serb authorities;
e. In his parliamentary campaign in the fall of 1993, Seselj indicated that the following
members of the Milosevic government were involved in paramilitary operations:
Radmilo Bogdanovic, Milosevic's reputed second in command who was officially
dropped as Serbian interior minister in 1991; Mihalj Kertes, a former Yugoslav
deputy interior minister and now a Serbian minister without portfolio; Radovan
Stojic, a deputy Serbian interior minister; and Franko Simatovic, a senior Serbian
secret police commander. Furthermore, Seselj claimed that his men never acted
outside the umbrella of the JNA and the Serbian police. *139
(b) Arkan
Evidence of Arkan's ties with the governments of FRY and with the self-declared
Serbian republics, as well as with the JNA, includes:
f. Serbia's Defence Minister has stated that Arkan is protected by Interior Ministry
officials; *140
g. Seselj has stated that Arkan's Tigers were operating under the instructions of
Yugoslavia's counterintelligence organization, *141 a claim also made by Dragoslav
Bokan, the leader of the White Eagles; *142
h. On 28 November 1990, Arkan was present at a planning meeting of the «council of
war» of the Knin uprising. Milan Martic, then secretary of the secretariat for Internal
Affairs and now President of the SAO Krajina, was also present at the meeting; *143
i. Arkan's forces and the JNA were operating simultaneously in 11 counties;
j. In at least three counties, Bijeljina, Brcko, and Zvornik, in which the JNA and
Serbian paramilitary groups acted together, Arkan was reported to be the leader of
the operation. In the siege of Vukovar, Arkan stated that his men were under the
command of the JNA;
k. The «population exchange commission» in the BiH county of Bijeljina is headed by
Major Vojkan Djurkovic. Major Djurkovic is a member of Arkan's forces;
l. There are reports of Arkan's forces entering a county at the invitation of local
political leaders. In Prijedor, a spokesman for the Bosnian Serb Government in
explaining Arkan's involvement, stated: «He is very expensive, but also very
efficient»; *144
m. In February 1993, in response to accusations that he was planning a coup d'etat in
Krajina, Arkan stated that he had «been a special advisor to the president of the
Republic of Serbian Krajina for a year now». *145 Arkan's interference in the Krajina
government prompted the commander of the headquarters of the Army of the
Republic of Serbian Krajina, Mile Novakovic, to issue an order for the withdrawal of
Arkan's troops from the region; *146
n. Arkan, like Seselj, reportedly has regularly transported plundered goods from BiH
into Serbia, with apparent permission of Serb authorities;
o. The Milosevic government has allegedly given Arkan control of formally state-run
gas stations because of his success in smuggling petroleum products. *147
3. Political prominence
(a) Vojislav Seselj *148
In early 1991, Seselj formed the SRS. Previously, he had been the leader of the Serbian
Freedom Movement, was instrumental in the formation of the Serbian Renaissance
Movement, and had finished fourth in the 1990 presidential election under the banner of his
Serbian Cetnik Movement. The Movement was banned after the election.
In June 1991, Seselj was elected to the Serbian Assembly in a special election to fill a
vacancy. Seselj's campaign was said to be tacitly supported and funded by President
Milosevic. *149 In the Federal elections on 31 May 1992, Seselj and the SRS won 33 of the
138 seats in parliament, making it the largest opposition party. In the Serbian parliamentary
elections held in December 1992, the SRS made an even stronger showing. To insure a
majority in Parliament, Milosevic's Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) formed a coalition with
Seselj's SRS.
In late September 1993, Seselj challenged Milosevic's leadership by calling for a vote of
no-confidence in the Serbian government led by Milosevic's SPS. This action prompted
President Milosevic to dissolve the Serbian parliament and to call for special elections in
December 1993. During the campaign, the SPS attacked Seselj, claiming he was involved in
the commission of war crimes. Seselj was also denied access to the state-run media, in
contrast to the intense coverage he had received in previous elections. Seselj and his SRS
suffered a 44 per cent reduction in the number of seats they held in parliament in the
December 1993 elections, however Seselj was re-elected.
(b) Arkan *150
Arkan entered the political arena during the 1992 Serbian elections. Along with three of
his followers, Arkan sought election in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo, even though
he had no known ties there. Arkan and his followers were elected deputies for the Serbian
parliament in the 1992 elections. The elections were boycotted by the ethnic Albanians, who
comprised 90 per cent of Kosovo's population.
Arkan formed a political party, the Party of Serbian Unity, before the special elections
of December 1993. He was thought to have the backing of Milosevic--who was no longer
supporting Seselj. *151 Arkan reportedly spent three million US dollars on his campaign.
However, despite the spending, the support of Milosevic, and pre-election polls assuring that
Arkan and the Party for Serbian Unity would win at least half the parliamentary seats in
Kosovo, Arkan failed to win re-election and the Party for Serbian Unity failed to obtain any
seats.
4. Allegations of war crimes
The forces of Seselj and Arkan have been accused of committing some of the most serious
violations of the Geneva Conventions and other international humanitarian law. Their operations in
Brcko led then United States Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger to identify them as possible
war criminals. Accusations that Arkan and Seselj committed atrocities also emerged from within the
former Yugoslavia. A month before the fall of Vukovar, in late 1991, an internal JNA memo
identified Seselj's and Arkan's forces as dangerous to «military morale» and stated that their
«primary motive was not fighting against the enemy but robbery of private property and inhuman
treatment of Croatian citizens». *152
In the 1993 Serbian Parliamentary elections, Milosevic, Seselj and Arkan accused each other of
committing war crimes. Milosevic's SPS publicly attacked Seselj, announcing that they considered
him to be «the personification of violence and primitivity», that he contributed «to war crimes,
abetting war profiteers and criminals», and that he was involved in «crimes committed by
paramilitary groups against Moslem, Croat and Serb civilians». *153 Government authorities
arrested 40 members of the SRS on charges of murder, rape, kidnapping, and illegal arms
possession. *154 Seselj responded by implicating members of the Milosevic government in the
paramilitary operations and by claiming that the government was attributing crimes committed by
Arkan to him. *155
In an overwhelming majority of the counties in which Seselj's and Arkan's forces were
operating, there are alleged killings of civilians, rapes, looting, destruction of property, and prison
camps.
5. Summary of reported paramilitary activity *156
As mentioned above, Seselj's forces were reported to be operating in 34 counties and Arkan's
forces in 28 counties throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia. In many of these counties,
Seselj and Arkan exercised command over other forces operating in the area. These forces consisted
of local paramilitary groups, and sometimes the JNA. *157 In some counties, Seselj's and Arkan's
forces operated under the command of the JNA. *158 At other times, they operated either
independently or in conjunction with other paramilitary groups. The presence of Seselj's and
Arkan's forces was sometimes requested by local Serb authorities.
In the majority of the counties in which Seselj and Arkan were operating, their forces, often in
the company of the JNA or other paramilitary forces, would surround the village before entering it.
In some instances, Seselj and Arkan would speak to the local Serbs in the village to incite them and
the other Serb forces. *159 They would often warn the non-Serb residents before entering the village
and request that they surrender their weapons. *160 Because of the reputations of Arkan's and
Seselj's forces, these warnings often prompted non-Serb civilians to leave the village.
Upon entering a village, sometimes under the cover of shelling, particularly in those counties
where they were operating simultaneously with the JNA, Seselj's and Arkan's troops would begin
their reign of terror. In an overwhelming majority of the counties in which Seselj's and Arkan's
troops were operating, there are allegations of killing of civilians, *161 rape, *162 looting, *163
destruction of private or cultural property, *164 and prison camps. *165 In some instances specific
individuals were targeted, such as prominent non-Serb leaders or intellectuals. *166
After securing an area, Seselj's and Arkan's troops would usually turn over control to a local
paramilitary group or to local Serb leaders. *167 In some instances, however, members of Arkan's
and Seselj's units remained and performed administrative functions. *168
6. Personal histories of Vojislav Seselj and Zeljko Raznjatovic
(a) Vojislav Seselj
(i) Activities before the war
Vojislav Seselj was born in 1950 in eastern Herzegovina. *169 He grew up and
attended college in the BiH capital of Sarajevo. *170 Seselj received a Ph.D. at the
age of 26, after completing his doctoral thesis on Marxist justifications for war,
making him the youngest Ph.D. in Yugoslavia. *171 He spent one year teaching at
the University of Michigan and then returned to Yugoslavia. *172
After returning to Yugoslavia, Seselj lectured in political science at Sarajevo

University. *173 On 22 May 1984, Seselj was arrested after police searched his
apartment and found an unpublished manuscript of an article criticizing Tito and the
Communist Government. *174 Seselj was convicted of counterrevolutionary
activities and sentenced to eight years in prison. *175 After 22 months in prison,
where he was allegedly beaten and tortured, Seselj was released. *176 According to
his friends, Seselj left prison emotionally disturbed as a result of this treatment. *177
Seselj settled in Belgrade, joined the leading Serb Nationalists, and began publishing
nationalistic books. *178 By 1990, he had lost the support of his academic colleagues
as he began carrying a gun and interrupting theatre performances he viewed as anti-
Serb. *179 At this time, he began his rise in the Serbian political arena.
(ii) Domestic political activity
In 1990, Seselj became the leader of the Serbian Freedom Movement, one of 11
alternative movements and parties established in Serbia. *180 In March of that year,
Seselj merged his Serbian Freedom Movement with a faction of the Serbian National
Renaissance to form a new party led by Vuk Draskovic, and known as the Serbian
Renaissance Movement. *181 This alliance lasted until June 1990, when Seselj was
expelled from the party for his extreme nationalistic views. *182 Seselj formed a new
party, the Serbian National Renewal, within a week. *183 His political party changed
names again by the end of 1990. The Serbian National Renewal became the Serbian
Cetnik Movement. *184
In December 1990, Seselj ran for president of Serbia although imprisoned for
recruiting volunteers in Knin. *185 While his party had no more than 10,000
members, he received 100,000 votes and finished fourth. *186 Before the election,
the Belgrade government reportedly did not take Seselj and his followers seriously.
*187 However, Seselj's strong showing and his ultra- nationalist platform resulted in
the banning of the Serbian Cetnik Movement after the election. *188 Seselj went on
to form the SRS.
By April 1991, Seselj claimed that the SRS had at least 25,000 members, with
about 80 city committees in Serbia as well as Baranja, Western Srem, Slavonia, BiH,
Krajina, and Kosovo. *189 SRS membership was growing rapidly in large part due to
the almost daily party promotions and rallies. Oftentimes, they were attended by
3,000 to 5,000 participants. *190
In June 1991, Seselj was elected to the Serbian Assembly in a special election to
fill a vacant seat from Rakovica, a working- class suburb of Belgrade. *191 Seselj's
campaign was reported to be quietly supported and funded by Slobodan Milosevic.
*192 Evidence of Milosevic's support was the uncritical, prime-time coverage Seselj
received on the Milosevic controlled, state-run television, which, for many Serbs, is
the only source of information. *193
As a member of parliament, Seselj continued his attacks and threats against
Albanians, Croatians, Muslims, and the West and became more popular. *194 In the
Federal elections held on 31 May 1992, Seselj and the SRS won 33 of the 138 seats
in parliament *195 making it the largest opposition party. *196
Seselj and the SRS made an even stronger showing in the Serbian parliamentary
elections held in December 1992. A few days before the election, Seselj stated that
the SRS had 100,000 members, but in the election the SRS received over a million
votes. *197 The SRS won nearly 30 per cent of the seats in parliament, twice what
was expected. *198 The SRS gains meant that Milosevic would have to form a
coalition with it to ensure a majority in parliament. *199 Seselj quickly used his
political strength to force a no-confidence vote against the moderate Yugoslav
Premier Milan Panic. *200
The coalition between Milosevic's ruling SPS and Seselj's SRS thrived *201 until
early May 1993, when Milosevic endorsed an international peace plan and seemed to
abandon his support of the Bosnian Serbs. *202 The Bosnian Serb parliament rejected
the plan prompting the Serbian government to cut off all but humanitarian aid to
them. *203 Seselj, without naming Milosevic personally, criticized the government
for turning its back on fellow Serbs. *204 Seselj led 70 delegates out of the Serbian
Parliament when a vote on the plan was scheduled, embarrassing Milosevic. *205
Though the plan was accepted, fewer than 200 of the 636 deputies eligible to vote
were present. *206 The plan was later rejected by the Bosnian Serb population in a
referendum. *207 The future of the SRS/SPS coalition was in doubt. *208
In an attempt to mend the fences between himself and Seselj, and possibly out of
fear of losing control of the nationalist movement, Milosevic engineered a vote to
remove President Dobrica Cosic from the Yugoslav Parliament. Cosic had been
criticized for abandoning the Serbian nationalist cause. *209 Milosevic relied on his
alliance with Seselj to defeat Cosic. Seselj had long been a prominent critic of Cosic.
*210 The removal of Cosic triggered a large anti-government demonstration in front
of the Parliament building. *211 The demonstration, led by Vuk Draskovic of the
Serbian Renewal Movement, turned violent after one of Seselj's parliamentary
deputies, an ex-boxer, punched an opposition deputy. *212 Vuk Draskovic and his
wife were arrested and imprisoned for instigating the riot, and the Serbian Renewal
Movement was banned. *213 With the moderates, Cosic and Draskovic gone, and
Milosevic's withdrawal of support for the peace plan, Seselj was clearly the second
most powerful politician in Yugoslavia. *214
In late September 1993, Seselj called for a vote of no- confidence in the Serbian
government led by Milosevic's SPS. *215 This action prompted Milosevic to dissolve
the Serbian Parliament and call for elections on 19 December 1993, rather than see
his government embarrassed. *216 The SPS then began their public attack on Seselj,
announcing that they considered him to be «the personification of violence and
primitivity», that he contributed «to war crimes, abetting war profiteers and
criminals», and that he was involved in «crimes committed by paramilitary groups
against Moslem, Croat and Serb civilians». *217 The authorities arrested 40 members
of the Radical Party on charges of murder, rape, kidnapping and illegal arms
possession. *218 None of those detained, however, were charged with crimes that
occurred outside the territory of the rump Yugoslavia. *219
Seselj responded to the charges regarding his paramilitary activities by alleging
that Milosevic's government was backing these activities. *220 Seselj said: «I have
already expressed my readiness to go to the Hague and testify on war crimes, but I
don't know how anyone can go to the Hague if Slobodan Milosevic does not go».
*221 While denying any involvement in atrocities, Seselj said his fighters were armed
and supervised by Milosevic's police. *222
Seselj indicated the involvement of the following individuals in Milosevic's

government: Radmilo Bogdanovic, Milosevic's reputed second in command
officially dropped as Serbian Interior Minister in 1991; Mihalj Kertes, a former
Yugoslav deputy interior minster and now a Serbian minister without portfolio;
Radovan Stojcic, a deputy Serbian interior minister; and Franko Simatovic, a senior
Serbian secret police commander. *223 Seselj said that his troops never acted outside
the umbrella of the JNA and the Serbian police. *224 He said two other groups, the
White Eagles and Arkan's Tigers, were also operating under the instructions of
Yugoslavia's counterintelligence organization, *225 a claim also made by Dragoslav
Bokan, the leader of the White Eagles. *226
Seselj's counter-attacks on Milosevic were not widely heard within Serbia, since
he was denied access to the state-run media, a situation in sharp contrast to the
intense coverage he had received the year before. *227 Furthermore, Seselj and the
SRS did not hold public meetings before the election because they did not want to
create the opportunity for provocations or incidents that might lead authorities to ban
the party. *228 These factors resulted in a poor showing for Seselj and the SRS in the
19 December 1993 elections. The SRS won 39 seats in the Serbian parliament, a 44
per cent reduction in the number they had held before parliament was dissolved. *229
In turn, the SPS and Milosevic increased their representation by 20 per cent. *230
(iii) Seselj's paramilitary troops
Tracing the command and control of particular military or paramilitary groups is
generally difficult. The task of determining which units are under the control of
Seselj is difficult as well. Seselj has both confirmed and denied the existence of
particular paramilitaries under his control or the control of his party. *231 The
paramilitary groups most often associated with Seselj are the White Eagles, Cetniks
*232 and Seseljovci, which are estimated to have a combined force of 8,000 men.
*233
The name «Cetniks» was originally used by Serbian royalist units that fought to
restore the Serbian-dominated monarchy after Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia in
1941. *234 Seselj's Cetniks claim to be the heirs of the Cetniks who fought in World
War II, and Seselj has proclaimed himself their Vojvoda (Duke). *235 The command
structure of the original «Cetniks» was based on small, locally controlled units that
were better suited for guerilla warfare. *236 Seselj, having written his master's thesis
on the theory of guerrilla resistance, *237 has followed this same pattern. *238 The
name White Eagles was originally used in World War II by the only orthodox
anticommunist youth organization that existed at the time. *239 Many youths were
killed for allegedly being members. *240
Seselj's original White Eagles group was founded in late 1990 by the Serbian
Renaissance Movement (SPO), which was the party he formed with Vuk Draskovic.
*241 However, Seselj left this party in June of 1990, and the current leader is Mirko
Jovic. *242 These White Eagles are now under the command of a 30 year-old
graduate student in Philosophy, Dragoslav Bokan. *243
Seselj has armed his troops in a variety of ways. *244 Weapons have been given
to his troops by people who have permits to carry them, *245 and some guns and
ammunition have been stolen from police stockpiles. *246 Seselj has said that his
men bribed former communist officials to sell surplus arms, which were then
smuggled across the Croatian border. *247 He has also claimed to have purchased
guns from Croats. *248 The World War II vintage American Thompson gun was
standard issue in mid-1991. *249 Seselj claims to have purchased these guns from a
European arms dealer, but press reports claim their presence is circumstantial
evidence of direct Serbian Government involvement. *250 Seselj acknowledges that
the federal army has not opposed their efforts, however, he refuses to disclose that he
might be receiving any support from Milosevic and the Serbian army. *251
(b) Zeljko Raznjatovic
(i) Activities before the war
Arkan was born on 17 April 1952 in Brezice, Slovenia. *252 He was the fourth
child of a retired air force colonel, and the only son. *253 At the age of 14 or 15 he
allegedly began to support himself through theft and burglary. *254 At the age of 15,
Arkan was incarcerated in a home for juvenile delinquents. *255 After his release, he
left Yugoslavia to travel abroad.
Arkan continued his criminal activities throughout Europe. He is wanted in

several European countries for crimes ranging from robbery to murder. *256 The
Italian police seek Arkan in connection with the killing of a restaurant owner in
1974. *257 He robbed banks in Stockholm and Goteborg, Sweden, leaving the bank
tellers bouquets of roses. *258 He was convicted of armed robbery in Belgium, the
Netherlands, and Germany. In all cases, he escaped from prison. *259
While travelling through Europe, Arkan also was alleged to be working for the
Yugoslavian Federal Secretariat for Internal Affairs (SSUP). *260 In the early 1980s,
the SSUP carried out assassinations of nationalist organization members abroad. *261
Arkan engaged in technical operations such as servicing agents and acting as a
courier. *262 He and Stane Dolanc, head of the SSUP, are repeatedly mentioned in
connection with the 1983 murder of the former director of a Croatian oil company,
who defected and began publishing books critical of Yugoslavia's Communist
Government. *263
When Arkan returned to Belgrade in the early 1980s, his ties to the SSUP
remained strong, despite his continued criminal activity. When Belgrade police
would arrest Arkan, they allegedly counted the minutes that went by until someone
from the SSUP, often times Stane Dolanc, would intervene on his behalf. *264 He
was often seen wearing a white suit in casinos, disco clubs and night spots. *265 He
became a well-respected member of the Belgrade underworld, with a reputation for
being a boss with a refined sense of justice. *266 During this time, he also had a
legitimate business in an ice cream and pastry shop located in a wealthy
neighbourhood in Belgrade. *267
Before the war, Arkan was most known in Belgrade as the leader of the city's
Red Star soccer team fan club. *268 On at least one occasion, Arkan offered the
services of the fan club to Radmilo Bogdanovic, a Serbian police minister, to
disperse a crowd demonstrating against Milosevic in June of 1990. *269 The offer
was accepted. *270 It is thought that many of the members of his paramilitary group,
the Tigers, are members of this club.
(ii) Activities during the war
a. Arrest in Croatia
Arkan's first reported active involvement in the conflict in the former
Yugoslavia came as early as November of 1990, when he traveled to Knin for
a meeting of the «council of war» of the Knin uprising. He was accompanied
by the following individuals: Dusan Bandic, a retiree and Cetnik commander
from Belgrade; Zoran Stevanovic, a construction technician from Belgrade;
and Dusan Caric, an electrician from Uncani near Dvor na Uni. *271 This
meeting, held in a shack in the village of Golubic, was also attended by Mile
Martic, then the secretary of the SUP (Secretariat for Internal Affairs) of the
Krajina SOA; Marko Dobrijevic, then the secretary of the Serbian
Democratic Party (SDS); and Nebojsa-Neso Mladinic and Dusan Orlovic,
active organizers of the uprising in the Knin Krajina. The parties discussed
how Belgrade would help in organizing and arming the Serbs in Krajina, and
specific assignments were given to individuals. On the way back to Belgrade
after the meeting, Arkan and his three companions drove into Dvor na Uni
after midnight on 29 November. They were allegedly trying to familiarize
themselves with the layout of the town so that they could better plan its
«liberation». They were stopped by police around 2:30 a.m. and arrested.
There were a number of automatic weapons, pistols and bombs in the car.
The four were convicted on 14 June 1991 after a 42 day trial. Arkan was
sentenced to 20 months in prison, including the six months and 15 days
already served. The judge then released all four of the defendants, pending
appeal of the convictions. Arkan left Croatia and sent a message from
Belgrade that stated, «You will never take me alive!» *272
b. Breaking United Nations sanctions and other business ventures
Arkan not only gained notoriety through his leadership of the Tigers, but
also through his business activities during the war. United Nations sanctions
against Serbia resulted in unprecedented growth in the Belgrade underworld,
in which Arkan is allegedly a leader. *273 Arkan reportedly made millions of
dollars on the Belgrade black market by selling looted goods from the
territory his Tigers have captured. *274 Arkan has also been successful in
smuggling oil into Serbia. Reportedly, Milosevic had agreed to turn over
state-run gas stations to anyone who could get oil into Serbia. Arkan's
success in smuggling oil has resulted in his ownership of several gas stations.
*275 It is estimated that for every tanker load of oil delivered in defiance of
international sanctions, Arkan makes $30,000. *276 In addition to his gas
stations and previously mentioned ice cream parlor, Arkan was also reported
to own a shopping centre, a detective agency, and a savings bank, all
allegedly supported by smuggling operations. *277 Arkan also promotes
boxing matches, *278 operates a protection racket in Belgrade, *279 and a
private prison used in kidnapping for ransom. *280 There are reports that
Arkan's gang is linked to Milosevic's government and the local police. *281
(iii) Domestic political activity
Arkan entered the political arena during the 1992 Serbian elections. Arkan,
along with three of his followers, ran in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo, even
though he had no known ties there. *282 Although 90 per cent of Kosovo's
population of two million are ethnic Albanians, Serbs have long considered the
province as an integral part of their cultural heritage. It was here that the Serbs lost to
the Turks in the 14th Century in the Battle of Kosovo Polje, *283 a defining moment
in Serbian history. It was at this battle site, on the 400th anniversary of the battle in
1989, that Slobodan Milosevic first declared his policy of Serbian nationalism. *284
It is feared that Kosovo will be the next major flashpoint in the conflict in the former
Yugoslavia. *285
Fueling concerns that «ethnic cleansing» was eminent in Kosovo during the
1992 campaign, Arkan delivered a speech, in the presence of Milosevic, swearing
that he was an enemy to Albanian infants. *286 While campaigning, Arkan drove a
car with license plates that said «Vukovar» as a reminder of his role in the attack on
that city. *287 His campaign posters featured a picture of himself in a World War I
Serbian uniform, complete with ceremonial sword. *288
Arkan and his three followers were elected deputies of the Serbian parliament in
the 1992 elections, which were boycotted by the Albanians. *289 While a deputy in
parliament, Arkan and his deputies always supported government policies. *290
In late September 1993, the Serbian Radical Party, led by Vojislav Seselj, called
for a vote of no-confidence in the Milosevic led government. *291 To avoid
embarrassment, Milosevic dissolved the Serbian parliament and called for new
elections to be held on 19 December 1993. *292 It is reported that Arkan had advance
knowledge of this and got a head start on his political opponents by forming a new
political party, the Party of Serbian Unity. *293
Arkan and his Party for Serbian Unity campaigned with zeal. He spent over
three million dollars *294 and held large campaign rallies, complete with Serbian folk
singers and fireworks. *295 In addition to the lavish campaign, Arkan was thought to
have the backing of Milosevic who was eager to fill the far right void created by his
falling-out with Seselj. *296 During the campaign, Arkan and Seselj traded
accusations of responsibility for war crimes. *297 Despite the spending, the reported
support of Milosevic, and pre-election polls assuring that Arkan and the Party for
Serbian Unity would win at least half the parliamentary seats in Kosovo, *298 Arkan
failed to win a single seat. *299
(iv) The Tigers
Arkan formed the Serbian Volunteer Guard, better known as the Tigers, on 11
October 1991, *300 as a paramilitary group with no party affiliation. *301 Training
centres were established in Tenja and Erdut, Croatia. *302 The camp in Erdut, on the
grounds of a Croatian winery, is a few hundred yards from the UN headquarters. *303
An UN official has reported that every morning at 7:30 a.m. the soldiers speed march
around Erdut with weapons. *304 The units contain some women, as well as boys 13
to 15 years old. *305 On 25 March 1994, in a ceremony attended by both Milan
Martic and Arkan, the Erdut training facility was turned over to the Serbian Republic
of Krajina to serve as a training facility for its special units. *306
When fighting began in Croatia, the Tigers were thought to have no more than
200 men, and their regular strength was thought to be only 60. *307 Although Arkan
has more recently claimed his Tigers have as many as 8,000 men, the number is
thought to be closer to 500 to 1,000. The exact number is difficult to determine as
regular soldiers sometimes wear Tiger uniforms. *308
The Tigers are well-armed with tanks and mortars and were trained by Radovan
Bazda and Arkan himself. *309 The Tigers have been seen with new sniper guns,
AK-47 submachine-guns, and Scorpion sub-machine-guns. *310 The Tigers have
worn three types of uniforms: camouflage, all blue, and all black. *311
III. Other identified paramilitary groups *312
A. Paramilitary groups operating in support of the Government of BiH
Name of Unit : Akrepi (Ugljes)

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Number of Troops : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Konjic County, BiH
Political Affiliation : N/A
Leader(s) : An identified man from Konjic, whose name is not disclosed for
confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons
Alleged Members : N/A
Source(s) :
 Submission of Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Commission
of Experts established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (1992) (2 July 1993),
Annex IV, A New Genocide Against Serbs in Konjic Area, Association of Serbs from BiH -
Association of Serbs from Konjic, IHRLI Doc. No. 28401- 29019, at 28799.
 Letter dated 21 October 1993, from the Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United
Nations Addressed to the President of the Security Council, U.N. Doc. S/26617 (23 October
1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 45732-45770, at 45763-45764.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Serbian Council Information Centre, the Akrepi killed 11 Serbs and burned 24
houses in the village of Blace on 15 May 1992. *313
Name of Unit : Alija's Army

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Konjic, Sarajevo and Livno Counties, BiH *314
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Second Report Submitted to the Commission of Experts
(1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 28401-29019, at 28661.
 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Information on the Aggression of the Republic of Croatia

(27 November 1992), IHRLI Doc. No. 3103-3156 and No. 5455-5470.
Alleged Activity :
Alija's Army members, along with Croatian Armed Forces (HOS), Croatian National
Guardsmen (ZNG), and members of the Yellow Ants converged on Konjic on 26 April 1992. Upon
arrival, the units allegedly established road blocks, set up machine-guns in nearby villages,
murdered civilians and looted the villagers' homes. *315
Name of Unit : Black Swans (alias Brigada Zuka, Zuk Brigade or Zuka's Commandos, the Zukini)
*316
Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniforms : Black clothing with a round unit patch on the sleeves. The patch depicts a
black swan having intercourse with a supine woman. «Special Unit Army of
BiH» is written in white lettering above the picture and underneath in black
letters are the words, «Black Swans».
Number of Troops : At least 100
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Igman, Jablanica, and Konjic Counties, BiH
Operation :
Leader(s) : Three identified people, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality
and prosecutorial reasons
Alleged Members : Five identified people, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons *317
Source(s) :
 US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62613, 62629, 62756-62757.
1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 45732-45770, at 45756, 45763-45764.
Alleged Activity :
The Black Swans allegedly committed most of the crimes against Bosnian Croats in the Konjic
area. *318 According to reports, the Black Swans arrived in the Konjic area on 1 April 1993. They
reinforced Muslim troops, under commander Tulomovic and were primarily deployed at the village
of Handici, seven kilometres north-west of Konjic. *319 In negotiations with the HVO, Tulomovic
denied that the Black Swans were under his control and blamed them for the criminal activity in the
area.
The Black Swan force established at Handici, allegedly attacked the Croatian village of
Celopeci in early April 1993. The Black Swans reportedly burned three empty buildings and killed
two elderly women and one elderly man, cutting off the man's arms and slitting his throat with a
machete. Later, the Handici force was joined by Black Swans from Pokojiste, who used four or five
Croatian civilians as human shields during the attack on the village. At least 70 men *320 comprised
the attacking force. After the action, Muslim forces allegedly prevented Spanish UNPROFOR
troops from investigating the activities at Celopeci. *321
Also in the Konjic region, the Black Swans and Mujahedin troops allegedly launched infantry
attacks on the village of Vrci every four or five days and helped run the P.O.W. camp for HVO
soldiers at Parsovici. *322
According to a witness from Jablanica, more than 100 Black Swans and MOS forces attacked
Doljani on 28 July 1993, the fiercest action in the hamlets of Krkaci, Stupari, and Kosna Luka.
Allegedly, the attackers killed and mutilated 24 people, including some soldiers. The witness stated
that the corpses' eyes were plucked out, their ears were cut, and their stomachs were slit open. *323
Name of Unit : Bogdan Gagic's Formation

Ethnicity : N/A
Uniform : N/A
Number of Troops : Thirty-two
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Benkovac County, Croatia
Leader(s) : Bogdan Gagic
Source(s) :
Report of the Republic of Croatia Pursuant to the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 780 of 5 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 2794-2984, at 2804.
Alleged Activity :
On 21 December 1991, Bogdan Gagic and the other 31 members of his formation killed nine
Croatians and one Serbian in the village of Bruska, in Benkovac, Croatia. Other inhabitants were
either killed, tortured or evicted. *324
Name of Unit : Forces of Hasan Hakalovic

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : Hasan Hakalovic
Source(s) :
Letter dated 21 October 1993, from the Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United
1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 45732-45770, at 45764.
Alleged Activity :
According to reports, the paramilitary forces of Hasan Hakalovic executed two civilians, ages
60 and 75, in the village of Mrkosovice. *325
Name of Unit : Hrasnica Forces

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
Letter dated 21 October 1993, from the Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United
1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 45732-45770, at 45764, 45768. There is, however, no corroboration
that this group exists.
Alleged Activity :
According to reports submitted to the Commission of Experts, during May 1993, in the village
of Zaslivlje, the Hrasnica forces cut off the ears and noses of Zlatka Trlin, Joze Brvenik, and Ante
Banovic. *326
The Hrasnica forces allegedly desecrated churches, looted houses and mistreated Croats in the
villages of Celebici and Radesine. *327
Name of Unit : Mecetove Bebe (Mecet's Babies)

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : Bosnian army insignia
Origin : Travnik, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Travnik County, BiH
Leader(s) : The leader's full name does not appear in the documents, but he is
identified by nickname.
Source(s) :
US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62612- 62877, at 62620.
Alleged Activity :
The Mecetove Bebe allegedly carried out criminal activity, including theft and sabotage in the
Travnik area. *328
Name of Unit : MOS or Muslim Armed Forces.

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : Scarves on their heads, olive fatigues, beards, and often green berets
Origin : MOS stationed on the Vjetrenica mountain near Zenica were from
Zepce. *329 Other MOS were from Jablanica. *330
Area(s) of Operation : Vitez, Zenica, Doljani, and Jablanica Counties, BiH.
and prosecutorial reasons. *331
Source(s) :
 Charles McLeod, ECMM, Report on Inter-Ethnic Violence in Vitez, Busovaca and Zenica
(April 1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 51615-51703, at 51631, 51639, 51640, 51669.
1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 45732-45770, at 45752.
 ECMM, Facts on the Aggression of the Muslim Forces, (included in a report submitted to
the Commission of Experts, author unknown), IHRLI Doc. No. 41225-41250.
Alleged Activity :
According to Croats fleeing villages in south-west BiH, 18 civilians were killed by the MOS in
Stipica Meadow, near Borovac, on 28 July 1993. Witnesses stated that they were cut down by
gunfire when crossing Stipica Meadow while fleeing from Borovac. *332 The survivors said that
they were taken to a small room nearby where they were detained with others, including one HVO
soldier who had been shot in the chest. They were given nothing to eat and only water to drink for
the day they spent in detention. The prisoners allegedly heard shooting before they pried the bars
loose on the windows where they were held and escaped. One of the victims recognized the MOS
forces, saying that they were from Jablanica. *333
In the towns of central BiH, in the Vitez and Zenica municipalities, the MOS allegedly looted
and burned homes and threatened Croat civilians. *334 The MOS reportedly acted as police and
arrested HVO personnel, who had been released earlier by the army of BiH.
Name of Unit : Mosque Doves (or Pigeons)

Ethnicity : Muslim and some Croatians.
Uniform : N/A
Number of Troops : 150
Origin : Zvornik, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Zvornik County, BiH
Alleged Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Information Centre of the Democratic League of Kosova, Fighting in Bosna River Valley
and Bosanska Posavina, IHRLI Doc. No. 47969-48071, at 48029-48031.
Alleged Activity :
Quoting Tanjug, the Democratic League of Kosova reports that in the second week of October
1992, a unit of Muslim fighters calling themselves the Mosque Doves attacked the villages of
Pantici and Milosevici, approximately 20 kilometres from Zvornik. Tanjug reports differed as to the
number of people killed in the attack. On 12 October, Tanjug reported that 50 villagers, mainly
elderly civilians were killed in the attack. A day later Tanjug reported that the victims included 13
civilians and 23 members of Serb forces.
According to the reports, the Mosque Doves used «rifles from Hungary and Arabic countries»,
and included some Croatians and Muslims from the Zvornik area who were trained in the Croatian
Adriatic town of Sibenik. The Doves allegedly knew their victims and called them by name. *335
Name of Unit : Patriotic League
Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : The Patriotic League insignia contains Lilies.
Origin : The members of the Patriotic League were the original wearers of the
green berets. They were largely JNA officers of Muslim religion who
prepared for the war once they saw that it was inevitable.
Area(s) of Operation : BiH
Political Affiliation : Patriotic League
Leader(s) : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons
Source(s) :
 Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 5, 6 September 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
35746-35751, at 035750.
 Croatian Information Centre, A Written Statement, 3 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 14576-
14587, at 14581.
Alleged Activity :
One unconfirmed and unsubstantiated allegation has been made that members of the Patriotic
League were active in Prijedor. *336
The Patriotic League was also implicated in the 25 April 1993, attack on Zenica, in which
civilians were killed and imprisoned. According to reports from the Croatian Information Centre,
the Patriotic League acted in concert with several other military groups, including the MOS led by
Commander Karalic, the BiH army, Third Corps, Brigade 314, and the Green League (or Legion)
also known as the Zenica Hoodlums. *337
Name of Unit : Paramilitary wing of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA or PDA).
Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Odzak County, BiH
Political Affiliation : Party of Democratic Action (SDA or PDA)
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Second Report Submitted to the Commission of Experts (6
April 1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 28401-29019, at 28817, 28952-28953, 28977.
Alleged Activity :
Paramilitary formations of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), together with members of
the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), allegedly perpetrated crimes against civilians in Odzak
County. The reports include allegations of rape, murder of civilians, looting, detention, and forced
labour. *338
Allegedly, the SDA received military supplies from abroad, primarily from Croatia. Weapons
dealers affiliated with the CDU and the SDA, centred in Odzak and Tarevci reportedly moved freely
between Croatia and BiH. *339
Name of Unit : White Pumas

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : Brown battle fatigues
Origin : Bihac, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Bihac County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
UNPROFOR Battle Command Kiseljak, Weekly Summary, December 1992, IHRLI Doc.
No. 25661-25667, at 25663.
Alleged Activity :
Reporting on clashes in the Bihac pocket, between the Fifth BiH Corps and Krajina militia,
United Nations Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) noted the presence of paramilitary units dressed in
brown battle dress and assessed them as members of the Muslim organization, White Pumas. *340
Name of Unit : Yellow Ants

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Information on the Aggression of the Republic of Croatia
(27 November 1992), IHRLI Doc. No. 3103-3156 and No. 5455-5470.
Alleged Activity :
The Yellow Ants, along with HOS, Croatian National Guards (ZNG) and members of another
paramilitary unit called Alija's Army, converged on Konjic on 26 April 1992. Upon arrival, the
units allegedly established road blocks, set up machine-guns in nearby villages, murdered civilians,
and looted the villagers' homes. *341
Name of Unit : Zenica Hoodlums/Green League (or Legion)

Ethnicity : Muslim
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Zenica County, BiH
Source(s) :
 Charles McLeod, ECMM, Report on Inter-Ethnic Violence in Vitez, Busovaca and Zenica
(April 1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 51615-51703, at 51657.
 Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin No. 5, 6 September 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
35746-35751, at 35750.
Alleged Activity :
On the morning of 25 April 1993, Muslim forces attacked villages near Zenica. Some civilians
were killed and others were taken to detention facilities at the former conservatory of music in
Zenica. Several Muslim groups allegedly participated in the attack : the army of BiH, Third Corps,
led by Enver Hadzihasanovic; Brigade 314; The Green League, also called the Zenica Hoodlums;
and members of the MOS led by commander Karalic. *342
The Green Legion reportedly operated a prisoner of war camp in the nearby village of
Bilimisce. *343
B. Paramilitary groups working in support of the Government of Croatia
Name of Unit : Black Legion *344 Ethnicity :

Croatian
Uniform : Black, except for the words «Black Legion» in
white letters
Origin : Allegedly, the members of the Black Legion are
expatriates who lived in Germany before the
war.
Area(s) of Operation : Tomislavgrad and Odzak Counties, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
 Inter-Agency Group of the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Violations
of Human Rights of Women, 6 February 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 22196- 22226, at 22201-
22203.
 Serbian Council Information Centre, Rape and Sexual Abuse of Serb Women and Children,
15 January 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 46176-46208, at 46203.
Alleged Activity :
Witness testimonies, reported by the Serbian Council Information Centre, name members of the
Black Legion as jailers. Allegedly, the Black Legion took prisoners from Split and Kupres and held
them in deplorable conditions at Tomislavgrad. Detained women said that they were kept in cellars
with no toilets or beds. The witnesses described the members of the Black Legion as wearing black
and riding in a black Mercedes. One witness quoted one of the guards as saying that he entered the
war to «protect his Fatherland». *345
One witness stated that the «Black Legion» or «Black Shirts» *346 arrived at a prison camp in
Odzak on 16 July 1993, and asked prisoners for gold or money. The witness reported that once she
surrendered her money to the Black Legion, she was released. *347
Name of Unit : Black Shirts

Ethnicity : Croatian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Virovitica County, Croatia
Area(s) of Operation : Grubisno Polje County, Croatia
Political Affiliation : Croatian National Guard (ZNG) *348
Alleged Leader(s) : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
Serbian Council Information Centre, Report on Harassment and Ethnic Cleansing in
Western Slavonia, 31 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 46072-46106, at 46075- 46080.
Alleged Activity :
According to witness testimonies reported by the Serbian Council Information Centre, Black
Shirt troops from Virovitica arrived in Grubisno Polje on 13 August 1991, and proceeded to arrest
and kill civilians, destroy property, and steal money and valuables from the villagers.
The Black Shirts allegedly began their activities in the area by blocking roads and setting up
check-points. They also took over police duties and made arrests according to a previously
compiled list. Allegedly, 124 people were arrested and held in the Grubisno Polje Hotel. Twenty
well-respected men in the community, who were arrested according to the list, were later found
dead. *349
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces of the Croatian Democratic Union (CDU)

Uniform : Black headbands and fingerless gloves
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Odzak, Novi Grad and Bosanski Brod Counties, BiH
Political Affiliation : Croatian Democratic Union (CDU)
Leader(s) : N/A
Alleged Members : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and
Source(s) :
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Second Report Submitted to the Commission of Experts
(1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 28401-29019, at 28800-28825 and 28945-29000.
Alleged Activity :
The Serbian Council Information Centre alleged that the CDU financed many paramilitary
groups in Slavonia, and that the CDU paramilitary forces were responsible for shelling Donja
Dubica on 18 April 1992. CDU forces allegedly killed, raped, and tortured prisoners. They also
allegedly evicted Serbian villagers, looted, operated a prison camp called «Tulek» in Bosanski
Brod, and used detainees for digging trenches, clearing minefields, and other war operations. *350
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under Mile Dedakovic

Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Vukovar County, Croatia
Leader(s) : Mile Dedakovic, alias «Jastreb» *351
Source(s) :
Submission from United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations to the Commission of
Experts (14 January 1994), IHRLI Doc. No. 56149-56281, at 56202.
Alleged Activity :
The commander of this Croatian paramilitary unit is reported to have committed several
violations. *352
Name of Unit : Glavas Unit or Paramilitary forces under Commander Glavas *353
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Osijek County, Croatia
Leader(s) : Glavas allegedly lived outside of Croatia for many years, *354 held several
positions of authority in Osijek, including Mayor, and was a member of the
extreme wing of the Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ). *355
Source(s) :
 Submission from United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations to the Commission of
Experts (14 January 1994), IHRLI Doc. No. 56149-56281, at 56202.
 Mihajlo Crnobrnja, The Yugoslav Drama 170-71 (1994).
 Michael Ignatieff, «Nasty, Brutish and Short : Where the Warlords Hold Sway from Behind
the Wheel of a Cherokee Chief», Ottawa Citizen, 11 April 1993, at C1.
 «Croatian Public Opinion `Divided' on Return of Serbs Who Fled», BBC Summary of
World Broadcasts, 27 February 1992, at EE/1315/C1/1.
Alleged Activity :
Glavas was the reported leader of paramilitary formations in Osijek. He was responsible for
criminal acts, including murder, which were intended to intimidate the ethnic Serbian community
and force them to flee. *356 By the fall of 1993, Glavas was elected Mayor of Osijek *357 after
serving as the town council president. *358 There are also reports of a number of violations, such as
killings. *359
Name of Unit : Hawks (Sokoli)

Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Sisak County, Croatia
Political Affiliation : The Hawks are affiliated with the Croatian Ministry of Internal
Affairs. *360
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Report submitted to the Commission of Experts (1992),
IHRLI Doc. No. 48266-48301, at 48295.
Alleged Activity :
In Sisak during the first half of 1991, the Hawks allegedly destroyed a slaughterhouse and four
shops owned by Dragan Novakovic. *361
Name of Unit : Horses of Fire (Vatreni Konji) *362

Uniform : N/A
Number of Troops : Fifty-eight identified members. According to reports submitted to the
Commission of Experts, members of the Horses of Fire were recruited
from the 102nd Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO). *363
Origin : Odzak County, BiH *364
Area(s) of Operation : Odzak, Mostar, Bosanski Brod and Trebinje Counties, BiH *365
Political Affiliation : Bosnian Croatian Defence Council (HVO) *366
Leader(s) : Four identified men, whose names are not disclosed, for confidentiality
and prosecutorial reasons *367
Alleged Members : Fifty-eight named people, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Second Report Submitted to the Commission of Experts
(1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 28401-29019, at 28539, 28602-28603, 28644, 28704-28705,
28708-28710, 28958-28962, 28965-28967, 28987-28992, 28997-289001, 29007, 29014.
 UN Economic and Social Council Commission on Human Rights, Situation of Human

Rights in the Territory of the former Yugoslavia (8 February 1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 12606-
12649 at 12613-12614, 12630.
Alleged Activity :
The Horses of Fire were a special unit of the HVO, *368 created from the HVO's 102nd
Brigade. *369 The founders of the Horses of Fire included four identified men, whose names are not
disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *370 These individuals allegedly established
concentration camps to house Serbs in the Odzak commune and illegally furnished arms to the
Horses of Fire. *371
The Horses of Fire are named repeatedly in reports to the Commission of Experts as
perpetrators of ethnic cleansing against Serbian civilians. *372 Allegedly, the Horses of Fire raped
and killed Serbian civilians, and looted and destroyed Serbian property, including Serbian homes,
and religious establishments. *373 Odzak County, on the border of Croatia and BiH, was the target
of such attacks between April and August 1992. *374
Acording to a UN report, in June 1992, members of Horses of Fire locked 16 Serbian women
and children inside a house in Novi Grad and set the house on fire. The survivors were forced to
jump from windows. *375 FRY reported that an elderly civilian was killed by the Horses of Fire on
15 July 1992. Reportedly, the victim lay sick in bed when a member of the paramilitary group beat
him to death by striking him in the head and chest with a rock. *376
Witness statements allege that the Horses of Fire frequently engaged in sexual assault and gang
rape activities. *377 Prior to defeat by the Serbs in mid-July 1992, the Horses of Fire allegedly
indulged in mass rape, and gang rape of Serbian girls and women. *378 Witness reports contain
relevant details which are not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. One witness
recalled how she was raped and abused in the middle of the night by six members of the Horses of
Fire. *379 In a similar case, 15 members of the Horses of Fire broke down the door of another
witness's apartment where she resided with a relative. They were forcibly removed and taken to a
location where they were raped by at least seven of their captors. The witness recognized the
perpetrators as her neighbours. *380
Witness statements also document an incident which occurred in early June 1992. One member
of the Horses of Fire allegedly raped four women and brutally beat another, throwing her to the
ground and stomping on her chest and stomach. *381 Also in June 1992, the Horses of Fire
Commander and several of his men allegedly participated in the rape of several women. *382 In
early June 1992, a woman was raped and forced to walk naked through her village. *383 On the
evening of 4 July, nine rapes were reportedly committed by the Horses of Fire. *384
Another report alleged that in July 1992, a notorious criminal and member of the Horses of Fire
raped a young girl. *385 Allegedly, between 8 May and 15 July, several Serbian women from Odzak
County were taken prisoner and raped. The women were detained in the village while men were
taken to a camp. Reportedly, the Serbian men held at Odzak were forced to rape Serbian women
who were brought to the camp. *386
Name of Unit : The Jokers (Jokeri or Dzokeri)

Uniform : Black uniforms *387
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Vitez County, BiH
Source(s) :
 Christopher Bellamy, «Bosnian Serbs Adjust to New Order», The Independent, 1 April
1994, at 10, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 «Defence Minister Reports on Activities of Croatian Army Units in Bosnia», BBC
Summary of World Broadcasts, 1 February 1994, available in LEXIS, News Library,
Curnws File.
 Catherine Toups, «Bosnia-Hercegovina : Preparing for the Day of Reckoning», Inter Press
Service, 15 February 1994, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 James O. Jackson, «No Rush to Judgement», Time, 27 June 1994, at 48-51.

Alleged Activity :
Bralo (Cicko) Miroslav allegedly commanded a special unit of Bosnian Croat soldiers called
«The Jokers». *388 The Bosnian War Crimes Commission suspects Miroslav himself of killing 20
people. *389 In one account collected by the Bosnian Commission, a Muslim woman from the area
alleged that she was raped repeatedly by Miroslav and other Bosnian Croat soldiers during the
month that she was held captive. *390
A resident of Ahmici, a village in Vitez county, reported that the Jokers shelled and occupied
the village on 16 April 1993. The witness stated that after the Jokers arrived, a crowd of
approximately 20 people, including Croatian neighbours, surrounded the witness' home and shot
several of the witness' relatives. Time magazine reported that 107 Muslims died in Ahmici that day.
*391
Bosnian Defence Minister, Hamdo Hadzihasanovic, identified the Jokers (dzokeri) as one of the
special units of the HVO which received training and support from the Croatian Army. *392
A report in The Independent described a group known as the Jokeri as gangsters with «fascist
inclinations». *393 The Jokeri were allegedly responsible for attacks in violation of the cease- fire
signed by Bosnia's Muslims and Croats in February 1994. *394
Name of Unit : Knights

Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Vitez County, BiH
Political Affiliation : Occasional ties to the HVO
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
UNPROFOR, Weekly Summary, April 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 25522-25527, at 25523.
Alleged Activity :
According to UNPROFOR personnel, the Croatian Knights paramilitary group set up a check-
point approximately three kilometres north-west of Vitez where they detained a convoy of trucks
for several days. Although the convoy was eventually returned, the action was apparently one of
many designed to agitate the Muslim population and to inrease tension in the region.
HVO officials in Vitez said that the Knights were a renegade group which did not follow
official military command. *395
Name of Unit : Medici
Uniform : Police uniforms
Origin : Travnik County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Travnik County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
UNPROFOR, Weekly Summary, April 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 25522-25527, at 25523.
Alleged Activity :
In talks with UNPROFOR personnel, the HVO said that a paramilitary formation called the
«Medici» was responsible for the attacks, kidnappings, bombings and errant artillery fire which
were perpetrated upon Muslims in and around Travnik in central BiH during the first weeks of April
1993. The HVO claimed that the Medici were not under military control. *396
Name of Unit : Sombor Group

Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : N/A
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
UNPROFOR, Weekly Summary, 7 December 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 55366-55368, at
55366.
Alleged Activity :
UNPROFOR documents report that the «Sombor» group, allegedly a Croatian organization
guilty of sabotage, are being detained in FRY. In December of 1993, the Yugoslav government was
considering exchanging the Sombor group for Serbian prisoners of war who were being held in
Croatia. *397
Name of Unit : Croatian Tiger Forces, «Kiseljak Tigers» and «United to Death» *398
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Kiseljak, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Mostar and Vares Counties, BiH
Political Affiliation : Occasional ties to the HVO
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
 ECMM, Report on Possible War Crimes, Submitted to the Commission of Experts, IHRLI
Doc. No. 41151-41170, at 41159.
 UNPROFOR, Press Release, 27 October 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 43929-43930.

Alleged Activity :
The Tigers allegedly joined the HVO in Mostar on 1 June 1993. With the Tigers, arrived
additional materiel, including 305 millimetre «Slavuj» guns and grenades manufactured at
Slavonski Brod. *399
UNPROFOR reports stated that «an HVO unit named `Tigers from Kiseljak' or Ùnited to
Death'» *400 participated in the attack on the Muslim village of Stupni Do on 23 October 1993. In a
press release dated 27 October 1993 (one day after the UNPROFOR forces were allowed access to
the village), UNPROFOR related that the village was attacked by HVO forces and that all 52
houses in the village were burned, that civilians were killed, and that women may have been raped.
*401 Later reports stated that the attacking force contained 300-600 troops, and that 42 civilians
were killed, including nine children. *402
Name of Unit : Vjesta

Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Donji Rakic (County and Country unknown)
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Interview with Cvijetin Maksimovic (Karim Loutfi trans.), IHRLI Doc. No. 19947A-
19947L, at 19947C.
Alleged Activity :
Cvijetin Maksimovic alleged that he was captured by Croatian forces called «Vjesta» in May
1993. He said that he was held in a detention facility operated by the Vjesta at Donji Rakic. *403
C. Paramilitary groups working in support of the Government of Serbia
Name of Unit : Fifth Kozara Brigade from Prijedor

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Prijedor County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Sanski Most County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 4, IHRLI Doc. No. 34962-966, at 34965.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Croatian Information Centre, the Fifth Kozara Brigade is a paramilitary
formation in the Banja Luka Corps of the Serbian Army. On 24-25 July 1992, the Fifth Kozara
Brigade, the Sixth Krajina Brigade and local Serb paramilitaries attacked the Bosnian Croat villages
of Stara Rijeka, Brisevo, Raljas and Carakovo in the Ljubija region. Seventy-three Croatian
civilians were killed during the attack by over 3,000 Serbs. *404
Name of Unit : Sixth Krajina Brigade from Sanski Most

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Sanksi Most County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 4, IHRLI Doc. No. 34962-34966, at
34965.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Croatian Information Centre, the Sixth Krajina Brigade is a paramilitary
formation of the Banja Luka Corps in the Serbian Army. On 24-25 July 1992, the Sixth Krajina
Brigade, along with the Fifth Kozara Brigade and local Serb paramilitaries, attacked the Croatian
villages of Stara Rijeka, Brisevo, Raljas and Carakovo in the Ljubija region of BiH. Over 3,000
Serbs participated in the attack, during which 73 Croatian civilians died. *405
Name of Unit : Unit of Daruvar

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Daruvar, Grubisno Polje, Pakrac, Virovitica, Podravska Slatina and
Slavonska Pozega Counties, Croatia
Political Affiliation : Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) of Slavonja and Baranja
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Resolution 780 of 5 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 2794-2984, at 2804-2807.
Alleged Activity :
In June 1991, the JNA and the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) for Slavonia and Baranja
formed the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade for the area of Daruvar, Grubisno Polje, Pakrac,
Virovitica, Podravska Slatina and Slavonska Pozega. One formation of the brigade was the Unit of
Daruvar, headquartered in Bijela. *406
The Unit of Daruvar and members of their police units allegedly participated in the following
attacks and incidents, often in concert with other Serbian paramilitary forces and JNA :
a. On 19 June 1991, members of special forces for Bjelovar killed two policemen and
wounded five in an attack near Sirac. *407
b. Three policemen--Robert Zilic, Miroslav Poljak, and Ivan Roncevic, were killed in Daruvar
on 20 June 1991. *408
c. An identified member and others kidnapped several policemen. *409
d. On 21 August 1991, the attack on Daruvar began. Nine mortar shells fell on the town and
two policemen were wounded. *410
e. From 27 August to 16 September 1991, 10 people were killed and 20 wounded in mortar
attacks by «Cetniks» on Doljani, Daruvar and Sirac. *411
f. During 24-27 September 1991, Daruvar and Sirac were mortared. One person was killed and
seven wounded. *412
g. On 6 October 1991, «Cetniks» shelled Daruvar. One member of the Croatian Army was
killed and five persons were seriously wounded. *413
h. «Cetniks» shelled Daruvar and Sirac on 10 October 1991. *414
i. On 9 November 1991, «Cetniks» fired mortar shells on Sirac and Suplja Lipa. Two persons
were killed and three wounded. *415
j. Two persons were killed and two wounded during shelling of Daruvar, Sirac, Suplja Lipa
and Koncanica on 11 November 1991. *416
k. On 12 November 1991, one person was killed and eight wounded in shelling of Daruvar.
*417
l. During «Cetnik» shelling of Sirac during 15-20 December 1991, five people were killed and
41 wounded. *418
Name of Unit : XII Slavonian Shock Brigade

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Pakrac, Podravska Slatina Counties, Croatia
Leader(s) : N/A
Alleged Members : Sixteen identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
Resolution 780 of 5 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 2794-2984.
Alleged Activity :
In June 1991, the JNA and the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) in Slavonia and Baranja
formed the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade. *419 Units of the Brigade include the Unit of Daruvar
*420 and the Bilogorian Order. *421
On 19 August 1991, 39 members of the XII Slavonian brigade attacked Pakrac, Lipik and
Prekopakra. An unspecified number of Croatian civilians were killed, evicted, or imprisoned in the
camp at Bucje. Croatian property was stolen or destroyed. *422
Between 13 August and 31 October 1991, 61 members of the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade
allegedly participated in the following actions :
a. On 28 August 1991, two identified members of the group and a group of unidentified
perpetrators kidnapped a man from G. Kovacica. The next day, nine identified members of
this group and others kidnapped two people. *423 The names of the perpetrators are not
disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons;
b. On 29 August 1991, four identified members of the group confiscated a villager's car and
gun. *424 The names of the perpetrators are not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons;
c. An identified member of the group fired an automatic weapon at a private home in late
August 1991 and murdered a man in September 1991. *425 The name of the perpetrator is
not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons;
d. On 16 September 1991, members from Grdjevac, Sibenik, Gremusina, and other villages
launched a mortar and artillery attack on Veliki Grdjevac; *426
e. On 18-19 September 1991, members of the brigade kidnapped nine men; *427
f. On 18 September 1991, members of the brigade from G. Kovacica launched a mortar and
infantry attack on Veliki Grdjevac; *428
g. On 13 October 1991, members of the brigade kidnapped three men from Veliki Grdjevac;
*429
h. On 14 October 1991, a mortar attack was launched on Veliki Grdjevac. *430
The XII Slavonian Shock Brigade allegedly attacked the following villages with mortars, tank
grenades, and rocket launchers during the months of October to December 1991 : Cetekovac,
Golenic, Hum, Ivanbrijeg, Lisicine Mackovac, Mikleus, Podravska Slatina *431
Name : Adolf
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Uniform of a Militia (police) reservist
Origin : Bjeljina County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Brcko County, BiH
Alleged Members : This is a one man unit.
Source(s) :
BBC Breakfast News, IHRLI Doc. No. 39139 at No. 39140-39141
Alleged Activity :
An identified member of this group reportedly killed 150 unarmed Muslim and Croat civilians
in early May 1992, in Brcko. According to the witness, Adolf found these civilians on the streets,
briefly interrogated them, and made them form a line in front of the Old Hotel near the centre of
Brcko. He then shot them one by one, with a Scorpion automatic pistol fitted with a silencer. *432
During the time of the initial killings, the police from Bijeljina and the local Serbian police
operated in Brcko. The leader of the group worked with neither and was only being helped by a few
reservists from Bijeljina. Yet, many people thought that he and the others had special permission to
do the killing.
Those killed by the group are buried in mass graves in Brcko. *433 Others killed were
reportedly thrown into the Sava River.
Adolf allegedly participated in killings at the Brcko-Luka camp. *434 However, because Adolf
was not formally affiliated with the JNA, the Commander of Serb forces at the camp insisted that
Adolf leave Brcko-Luka. Reportedly, Adolf then returned to Bijeljina.
Other identifying information is available, but not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons. *435
Name of Unit : Anticevci

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, «Report on Èthnic Cleansing Operations' in
the North- Eastern Bosnian City of Zvornik», 6 April 1994, IHRLI Doc. No. 63984-64023,
at 63996.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, the Anticevci participated in
the Serbian attack on Zvornik which began on 26 April 1992. Allegedly, the Anticevci attacked
Zvornik alongside Territorial Defence units, Arkanovci, Seseljovci, Draganovci, White Eagles,
Dusan Silni, Vukovarci, and other smaller units. According to the report, the Anticevci carried only
light arms, but are accused of perpetrating the assault in the district of Srpska Varos in which an
entire village was killed on 15 April. *436
Name of Unit : Armada Forces

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Banja Luka County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Teslic County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Zdravko Grebo, Report Sent to Tadeusz Mazowiecki, 19 November 1992, IHRLI Doc. No.
49183-49201, at 49197.
Alleged Activity :
According to Zdravko Grebo, a professor at Sarajevo University, the Armada Forces
«terrorized» Muslim prisoners from Banja Luka. Reportedly, the Armada Forces came to Teslic to
perform «ethnic cleansing» operations there. Serbian Militia and Red Berets also operated in Teslic.
*437
Name of Unit : Bilogora Unit (Bilogorski Odred)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Grubisno Polje, Daruvar, Pakrac, Virovitica, Podravska Slatina and
Slavonska Pozega Counties, Croatia
Political Affiliation : Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) of Slavonia and Baranja
Leader(s) : N/A
Alleged Members : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality
and prosecutorial reasons.
Source(s) :
Report of Republic of Croatia Pursuant to the United Nations Security Council Resolution
780 of 5 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 002794-2984.
Alleged Activity :
formed the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade for the area of Grubisno Polje, Daruvar, Pakrac,
Virovitica, Podravska Slatina and Slavonska Pozega. The Bilogorski Odred was formed as part of
this Brigade, and allegedly took part in the following attacks, in concert with JNA and «Cetnik»
forces :
a. On 17 August 1991, the centre of Grubisno Polje was attacked. An unspecified number of
people were wounded. *438
b. On 21 August 1991, infantry attacked Ivanovo Selo. One person was wounded and a
policeman was kidnapped. *439
c. On 1 September 1991, the Croatian Army strongholds in Gornja Rasenica were attacked
with mortars and infantry. *440
d. On 13 September 1991, two members of the Croatian Army were wounded in an infantry
attack on Grubisno Polje. *441
e. On 15 September 1991, the village of Munije was attacked. The non-Serbian population was
mistreated and a few Croatians were captured. *442
f. On 21 September 1991, 27 members of the Bilogora Unit carried out an infantry and mortar
attack on Ivanovo Selo, in the Grubisno Polje municipality. Seven people were killed and
nine wounded. *443
g. On 6-7 October 1991, «Cetniks» attacked Grubisno Polje with mortars and infantry. *444
h. On 15 October 1991, two people were killed on during a mortar attack on Ivanovo Selo. *445
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces from Borovo Naselje

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Vukovar County, Croatia.
Leader(s) : N/A
and prosecutorial reasons *446
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 15, 15 November 1993, IHRLI Doc. no.
47021-24 at 47023.
Alleged Activity :
On 8 October 1991, a group of civilians were reportedly imprisoned in Borovo Naselje, near
Vukovar, when they attempted to extinguish a fire at the «Komerc» building. A paramilitary group
from the town allegedly captured and then transported the civilians in JNA vehicles to the Stajicevo
prison camp in Serbia. The prisoners were abused during the ride to Stajicevo by four members of
the paramilitary unit. A witness also described Stajicevo camp as holding 6,500 persons from
Vukovar, Borovo Naselje and Miklusevci, Croatia, and said that many of the prisoners were
women. At least one local member of the group was identified by a local witness. *447
Name of Unit : Forces of Miroslav Deronjic

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Bratunac County, BiH
Political Affiliation : Serbian Democratic Party (SDS)
Leader(s) : Miroslav Deronjic
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
On 23 May 1992, local paramilitary forces, commanded by Miroslav Deronjic, killed 70
Muslims in front of the mosque in the village of Glogova in Bratunac County. Deronjic, alias
«Momo- Penzica», was President of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) in Bratunac. *448
Name of Unit : Captain Dragan units

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Captain Dragan reportedly wore a Red Beret, featuring the Serbian cross
and the four cyrillic S's, and olive fatigues, with no insignia except for a
metal plate on the shoulder bearing the name «Captain Dragan».
Number of Troops : As many as 1,000
Origin : Dragan's special forces consist of 1,000 soldiers of the «Republic of Serbian
Krajina» and some volunteers from countries outside the Former
Yugoslavia.
Area(s) of Operation : Vukovar, Zadar, and Knin Counties, Croatia; and Brcko, Zvornik, and
Zavidovici Counties, BiH *449
Alleged Leader(s) : Captain Dragan Vasiljkovic or Daniel Sneden. *450 Dragan is allegedly an
Australian citizen who was born in Belgrade. He was a military advisor in
both Tanzania and Angola, and, as a result, when speaking English, his
accent is more South African than Australian. He reportedly arrived in
Knin, Croatia, in 1990, returned to Belgrade in 1991, and left Krajina
sometime in 1992. He later returned to Krajina to operate a training camp
for special forces volunteers. *451 Dragan also reportedly led paramilitary
groups called the Knindze and the Red Berets. *452
Alleged Members : Four identified men, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons.
Source(s) :
 Geoffrey Lee Martin, «Serb Rebel Has Record in Australia», The Daily Telegraph, 13
August 1991, at 8.
 Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 4, 30 August 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
34962-34966, at 34963.
 United Nations Military Information Branch, Who's Who in Former Yugoslavia, No. 1, 1
February 1994, IHRLI Doc. No. 62101-62173, at 62141.
 «Krajina Interior Minister Says Croats Preparing to Launch Attack», BBC Summary of
World Broadcasts, 13 August 1991, at Eastern Europe.
 Rob Krott, «Yank Pulls Three Combat Tours With Cetniks», Soldier of Fortune, April 1994,
at 49-50.
 Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 14, 8 November 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
47017-47023, at 47018.
 US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 56320- 56879, at 56615 and 56995.
 Croatian Information Centre, A Written Statement, IHRLI Doc. No. 36396-36402, at 36397.
 Report submitted by the Republic of Croatia to the U.N. Security Council, War Crimes and
Grave Breaches of Geneva Conventions Committed by Serbian Paramilitary Forces in
United Nations Protected Areas (UNPAs) in the Republic of Croatia, 6 September 1993,
IHRLI Doc. No. 42883-42918, at 42890.
 Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, Report on Èthnic Cleansing Operations' in

the North-Eastern Bosnian City of Zvornik, 6 April 1994, IHRLI Doc. No. 63984-64023, at
63996.
Alleged Activity :
According to the UN, Captain Dragan led a force called the Knindze from Knin, Croatia, on
raids in Croatia in 1990. He also participated in operations in Vukovar with other paramilitary
formations, including those commanded by Arkan and Seselj. In February 1993, having gained
celebrity status in Krajina and in Belgrade, Captain Dragan was appointed to head a training camp
for Alpha Special Forces in Knin in February 1993. As a result, forces trained by Captain Dragan
moved throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia under various commanders and as
members of larger units. The training camp in Croatia allegedly contained over 1,000 troops. Most
of the volunteers were soldiers of the army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, but troops from
outside the former Yugoslavia also trained there under Dragan.
Dragan claims to have deployed the Garibaldi Fighters from Italy in the Velebit mountains
north of Zadar in Croatia. The size of the Garibaldo unit is unknown, but reportedly carried out
reconnaissance and sabotage missions behind enemy lines on behalf of Serbian paramilitary
commanders fighting in Croatia. Dragan claimed that by July 1993, as many as 114 missions had
been performed by units trained by him at the camp. *453
Dragan has been accused of intimidating civilians and of orchestrating «ethnic cleansing»
throughout Krajina. In November 1991, Captain Dragan and two other identified men used the
burned remains of a human body to intimidate a Croatian civilian prisoner and force him to reveal
information. This happened at the carpentry workshop in «Velepromet» in Vukovar. Captain
Dragan was also an investigator for the «People's Court-Martial» at the carpentry workshop, where
Serbian JNA and paramilitary forces condemned Croatian prisoners to death. *454 A witness alleged
that Captain Dragan and another identified man took a woman from «Velepromet». The woman
was beaten and then returned to the room after being questioned about events in Vukovar and the
treatment of Serbian residents there before the 1991 elections. *455
A 110-man unit under Captain Dragan allegedly attacked a village called Divic, near Zvornik,
in May 1992. The group was billeted in Zvornik, which was occupied by Arkanovci at the time.
*456
A witness stated that on 23 September 1991, civilians in Tovarnik, in eastern Croatia, were
forced into a courtyard and divided according to nationality. One hundred Croats were reportedly
separated from the group and taken towards Sid in Serbia. Reportedly, Captain Dragan claimed
authorization to kill whomever he chose. Allegedly, one man was killed and left on the side of the
road. *457
A unit named the Draganovci also allegedly participated in the April 1992 attack on Zvornik in
north-eastern BiH along with other paramilitary units including Arkanovci, Dusan the Mighty,
Anticevci, the White Eagles, the Vukovar Unit under Pero Elez, and others. *458
In January 1993, paramilitary formations under Captain Dragan allegedly participated in the
«ethnic cleansing» operation of the Knin district, along with Arkan and Seselj units. *459
Captain Dragan's troops allegedly removed prisoners from Luka camp to Belgrade during June
1992. *460
Groups commanded by Captain Dragan reportedly include the Knindze, the Red Berets, and the
Munja or Flash (lightning) troops.
Name of Unit : Drago's Group (Dragina Grupa)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Vukovar, Croatia
Alleged Members : Nine identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
Drago's Group was allegedly responsible for killing civilians in Tovarnik, a town near Vukovar
in eastern Croatia, during 27-30 September 1991. About 80 persons were killed with knives, guns,
bombs, etc. An identified Captain raped and killed young girls. Other members of Drago's Group,
who allegedly participated in the attack on Tovarnik, were identified, but their names are not
disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *461
Name of Unit : Dusan the Great (Dusan Silni)
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Camouflage, headbands or scarves and hats with insignia
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Vukovar County, Croatia and Zvornik County, BiH
Alleged Members : Six identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
 Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 3, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 34958-961, at
34959.
 Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 14, 8 November 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
47017-47024, at 47019.
 Croatian Information Centre, War Crimes Committed by the Yugoslav Army 1991-1992,
1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 15105- 15210, at 15123.
 Report submitted by the Republic of Croatia to the U.N. Security Council, War Crimes and
IHRLI Doc. No. 42883-42918, at 42896-42901.
 Amnesty International, Yugoslavia : Further Reports of Torture and Arbitrary Killings in
War Zones, March 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 50100-50129, at No. 50107.

63996.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Croatian Information Centre, on 7 September 1991, in Tovarnik, Dusan the
Great forces killed a Catholic priest and set fire to Croatian houses. *462
Dusan forces were also allegedly involved in abuses conducted in the village of Lovas in
eastern Croatia. Allegedly, male civilians in Lovas were mistreated and some were killed on 17
October 1991, when they were called to a meeting in a cooperative. Dusan the Great forces
surrounded the cooperative, then searched and beat the prisoners. Later, the leader allegedly arrived
and ordered some of the prisoners to perform work detail, and detained them in a house for the
night. One witness reportedly was detained for roughly three months and made to perform work
detail. He stated that Ljuban Devetak was in charge of operations and was encamped at the main
police station in Lovas. The same witness also stated that Jovicevci, Seseljovci and Arkanovci were
also present in Lovas during the fall of 1992. *463
Victims were reportedly beaten, forced to sit still in front of machine-guns, and forced to walk
through a minefield. Another witness reported that 21 people died and that 13 were wounded. *464
Dusan the Great allegedly participated in the April 1992 attack on Zvornik in north-eastern
BiH, along with other paramilitary units including Arkanovci, the Vukovar Unit, Anticevci, the
White Eagles, Captain Dragan's men, and others. *465
Name of Unit : Serb paramilitary unit from Dvor na Uni
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Dvor, Croatia
Area(s) of Operation : Dvor, Croatia
Leader(s) : N/A
Alleged Members : Thirteen identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 15, 15 November 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
47021-24, at 47022.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Croatian Information Centre, a paramilitary group from Dvor na Uni attacked
two nearby villages, Kozibrod and Struga, on 26 July 1991. The attack began at 10:30 a.m. and
lasted until 9:00 p.m. Allegedly, the attackers used civilians from the two villages as shields as they
advanced on the Croatian police station at Kozibrod. Once in control of the police station, the
paramilitaries reportedly killed seven civilians and eight policemen. The report also lists eight
civilians as seriously wounded by gunfire. *466
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under Pero Elez including the Vukovar Unit (Vukovarci)
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Camouflage fatigues bearing the red, white, and blue flag of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia and\or the JNA star on the left front pocket
Origin : Foca County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Foca and Zvornik Counties, BiH and Vukovar County, Croatia
Leader(s) : Pero Eles
Alleged Members : Two Deputy Commanders *467 and others *468 were identified, but their
names are not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons.
Source(s) :
 US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62612-62877, at 62783.
63996.
 Republic of BiH Information Bureau, Daily Report on Aggression and Terrorism against the
Republic of BiH, IHRLI Doc. No. 30207-30293, at 30213, 30246 and 30291.
 Zdravko Grebo, Report to U.N. Special Rapporteur Mazowiecki, 1992, IHRLI Doc. No.
49183-49200, at 49190- 2.
 Report of BiH, Submission of Witness Statements to the Commission of Experts, 12 August

1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 35641-35706D, at 35685-35687, 35705.
Alleged Activity :
A Government report named the commander of the Vukovar Unit paramilitary force, which
operated in Vukovar County, Croatia, and in Foca, Gacko, Zvornik, and Brcko Counties, BiH. *469
Allegedly, many civilians were killed, imprisoned, or evicted from their homes by the Vukovar
Unit. Reports also document that this group destroyed and looted property. The group is also
accused of detaining women and young girls in separate facilities and raping them. Two identified
members of the group allegedly transported women to detention facilities in FRY and Germany.
The US Government reported that the Vukovar unit participated in the 4 May 1992, attack on
Foca, alongside members of the White Eagles and the Montenegro Guard. According to the report,
the paramilitary units arrived together in seven military buses and followed orders to «comb» the
area for Muslim and Croat civilians. The troops reportedly shot many of the civilians in outlying
areas and detained the others at Foca Prison. *470
Several witnesses stated that the commander operated in Foca from a hotel in Miljevina.
Allegedly, many female prisoners were taken to the Miljevina hotel headquarters and then escorted
to private homes, where they were detained for months and raped. The commander reportedly was
the first to rape many of the women. The victims said that if they resisted, they were threatened with
transfer to a local hotel, where many paramilitary troops raped prisoners regularly. Victims stated
that they were held at the house of Nusret Karaman, *471 who was allegedly part of a transport
network run by the commander. Karaman reportedly provided passports for the women and took
them from BiH to Belgrade and to Germany. *472
A report submitted to the UN estimated that 250 buildings in Foca, including a mosque, were
burned to the ground, that the entire agricultural stock was burned, and that farming machinery was
destroyed. Allegedly, 1,000 civilians were taken to Foca prison and abused. The prisoners included
Muslims, Croats, Serb resisters, and patients and staff at the Foca Medical Centre. Witnesses stated
that as many as 10,000 detainees were moved through the prison. *473
The Vukovar Unit also allegedly participated in an attack on the villages near Zelengora
mountain in Gacko. Serbian forces allegedly began shelling the villages on 1 July 1992. Civilians
were killed with knives or captured and sent to Kalinovik, where they were held in an elementary
school. Witnesses stated that two identified men took 12 young women from the elementary school
prison. Witnesses also reported that two elderly women died hile in captivity at the school. *474
The Vukovar Unit allegedly participated in the April 1992 attack on Zvornik in north-eastern
BiH, along with other paramilitary units including Arkanovci, Dusan the Great, Anticevci, the
White Eagles, Captain Dragan's men, and others. *475
Name of Unit : Serbian Falcons

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Political Affiliation : Serbian Royalist Party (SRP)
and prosecutorial reasons.
Source(s) :
 «Nationalistic Serbs Threaten Terrorist Attacks if Intervention», Agence France Presse, 13
May 1993, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 Suzanne Nelson, «Yugoslavia : Extremist Groups Come to Life in Disillusioned Serbia»,

Inter Press Service, 17 November 1992, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
Alleged Activity :
In May 1993, the group was reported to have 350 men training at Subotica, Serbia. *476 Groups
such as Helsinki Watch suspect the SRP paramilitary group, the Serbian Falcons, of atrocities. As of
November 1992, an estimated 600 Serbian Falcons were fighting in BiH, with 700 to 800 in Serbia.
*477
Name of Unit : Garavi Sokak

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Gorazde County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
State Commission for Gathering Facts on War Crimes in the Republic of BiH, Bulletin, No.
3, March 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29841-29884, at 29875.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Bulletin, in June 1992, the Garavi Sokak paramilitary unit looted Muslim
property and frightened Muslim residents of Gorazde and surrounding villages. The Garavi Sokak
unit worked together with Uzice military units, Arkan's men, and local paramilitaries working under
Braco Rakanovic. Allegedly, these forces attacked a settlement near Kokino village and another
near Povrsnica mountain. *478
Name of Unit : Grey Wolves

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : The Grey Wolves wore distinct, black wool caps and green uniforms
with patches on both sleeves. The right- arm patch depicted a grey wolf;
the left-arm patch bore the four Cyrillic S's.
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Bosanski Samac County, BiH
Leader(s) : Stepo Todorovic, Minister of Internal Affairs, who originally lived in
Serbia
Alleged Members :
Source(s) :
Marlene A. Young (National Organization for Victim Assistance), Recommendation for
Assistance to Victims of Trauma in the Former Yugoslavia, 5 February 1993, IHRLI Doc.
No. 9114-9162, at 9157-9161.
Alleged Activity :
The National Organization for Victim Assistance reported an attack on Bosanski Samac on 17
April 1992, by Serbian paramilitary forces, including the Grey Wolves and Arkanovci. One witness
stated that the paramilitary troops arrested and killed civilians in the days before and after the
attack, and that the same troops mined and destroyed all of the bridges in the area. The witness
stated that he was arrested and repeatedly beaten. *479
On 18 April the paramilitary forces were allegedly joined by the Territorial Defence and the
JNA, who came with tanks and transport vehicles. Politically active Croats and Muslims were
arrested, as well as anyone who remained outside. Seven or eight days later, all intellectuals were
arrested. In the third and final wave of arrests, the only civilians who were not taken were those
with «working obligations». Allegedly, detention centres were established at a Territorial Defence
storehouse and the police headquarters. The prisoners were reportedly beaten and detained for a
month. *480
Todorovic was reportedly from Serbia and married to a Muslim woman. He allegedly
demanded that civilians give up their arms for peace, and claimed that if even one Grey Wolf was
killed, 100 Muslims and Croats would die. According to the witness, the civilians who surrendered
their weapons were arrested. *481
A man, identified by one name only, was reportedly a member of the Arkanovci or Grey
Wolves, killed 21 people in retaliation for the death of a 21 year-old Serb. A 60 year-old man was
also reportedly shot to death. *482
The witness stated that he was eventually taken out of Bosanski Samac and taken to Brcko and
other camps. *483
Name of Unit : Serbian Guard in Karakaj

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Karakaj (county unknown), BiH
Leader(s) : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons.
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
The chief of the Serbian guard in Karakaj is reported to have engaged in several activities not
disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *484
Name of Unit : Serb Hawks (Srpski Orlovi)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Chris Stephen, «View from the Zoo», Houston Chronicle, 5 December 1993, at A33.
Alleged Activity :
The name «Serb Hawks» is reported in at least one newspaper article, but no information is
available regarding their activities. *485
Name of Unit : Cetniks led by Dragan Ignjatovic, Ljubisav, and Mile Mijatovic
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : Dragan Ignjatovic, Ljubisav, and Mile Mijatovic (alias «Cicvara»)
Source(s) :
World Campaign «Save Humanity», Report on War Destructions, Violation of Human
Rights and Crimes Against Humanity in BiH, 27 July 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 52111-135, at
52131-132.
Alleged Activity :
Cetniks led by Dragan Ignjatovic, a former clerk in the Zvornik town hall, Ljubisav, a
policeman, and Mile Mijatovic, alias «Cicvara», attacked Kostjerevo village near Zvornik in May
1992. According to a witness, the entire population of Kostjerevo was taken to Drinjaca. Thirty-five
men were beaten and killed in a hall there and 12 teenage boys were taken prisoner and led in the
direction of Zvornik. Women were raped and tortured. On 31 May about 150 women and children
were taken in two buses in the direction of Tuzla, while others were allegedly kept for exchange.
*486
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under Dragan Ikanovic *487

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Vogosca County, BiH
Leader(s) : Dragan Ikanovic
and prosectorial reasons.
Source(s) :
3, March 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29841-29884, at 29869-29870.
Alleged Activity :
A witness reported that Dragan Ikanovic and his men were responsible for the deaths of
approximately 50 Muslim prisoners. According to the witness, Ikanovic and his men loaded the
prisoners onto a bus and drove them from Vogosca towards a village called Srednje. At one point in
the journey, the passengers were told that the bus had overheated. The three Serbian guards left the
bus, which was then fired upon by Serbian forces using rocket launchers, bazookas, machine-guns
and hand grenades. *488
Name of Unit : Dragan Ilic's Group

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : N/A
Leader(s) : Dragan Ilic
Alleged Members : One man was identified, but his name is not disclosed for
confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons.
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
Twenty-two year-old Dragan Ilic, son of Dragoljub Ilic, allegedly led a team that confiscated
weapons from Muslims. One member of the team was identified. *489
Name of Unit : Jovicevci

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Camouflage
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Report submitted by the Republic of Croatia to the U.N. Security Council, War Crimes and
IHRLI Doc. No. 42883-42918, at 42896-42901.
Alleged Activity :
According to witness statements reported by the Republic of Croatia, the Jovicevci forces were
involved in abuses conducted in Lovas in eastern Croatia. Male civilians in Lovas were allegedly
mistreated and some were killed on 17 October 1991, when they were called to a meeting at the
town cooperative. Jovicevci allegedly participated in searching and beating the prisoners. Twenty-
one people were killed on the night of 17 October when they were forced to walk in a minefield
located in front of the Borovo factory. A witness stated that the paramilitary groups present in
Lovas at the time were the Jovicevci, Seseljovci and Arkanovci. Also, many witnesses have
corroborated that Ljuban Devetak, an economist, was in charge of the forces operating in Lovas
during the fall of 1992. *490
Name of Unit : Zoran Karlica

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Prijedor County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Alleged Members : Three identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Genocide : Ethnic Cleansing in Northwestern Bosnia (Ante
Beljo ed. 1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 39889-40025, at 39953.
Alleged Activity :
A Serbian paramilitary unit called Zoran Karlica was allegedly responsible for killings, rapes
and other abuses in the village of Biscani in Prijedor county in July 1992. A witness recognized and
identified three men among the group. One identified man allegedly beat a man to death because of
an earlier incident between them. *491
The witness claimed that there were few survivors after «ethnic cleansing» in the village.
Survivors were loaded into two buses and driven towards Prijedor. There were reportedly unburied
bodies alongside the road during the drive. At Crna Jaruga, half of one bus' passengers were killed.
One of the buses drove to the Omarska camp and then on to the Trnopolje camp because there was
no room at Omarska. Later in the day, an identified member of the paramilitary group returned and
reportedly removed and executed 13 people. *492
Name of Unit : Knindza Turtles

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Knin County, Croatia
Area(s) of Operation : Modrica and Doboj Counties, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A *493
Source(s) :
Amnesty International, BiH Gross Abuses of Basic Human Rights, October 1992, IHRLI
Doc. No. 3596-3648, at 3620-21.
Alleged Activity :
According to an eyewitness, during May 1992, a paramilitary group who called themselves the
Knindza Turtles, together with members of the White Eagles, interrogated prisoners at the Sutjeska
school. The witness reported that he was held in a classroom with approximately 50 other men of
military age. Women, children and older men were held in the school sports hall. The witness said
that local Serbs acted as guards, while the two paramilitary groups performed interrogations. *494
The witness was questioned about where the Muslims kept their weapons and about his
activities before apprehension. He said that he was not beaten during the interrogation, but that one
of the prisoners, a 47 year-old Muslim, was beaten with a pickaxe handle. *495
Name of Unit : Vlado Kovacevic and Cetniks

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : Vlado Kovacevic
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 2, 16 August 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
34954-34957, at 34956.
Alleged Activity :
On 19 November 1991, Serbian paramilitary units, referred to by witnesses as «Cetniks», took
Vukovar civilians from their basements to the Pekara bakery, where they were killed with knives
and burned in a baker's oven. Vlado Kovacevic was seen among the perpetrators, apparently
dressed as the commander. *496
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under command of Rajko Kusic Ethnicity :

Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Visegrad and
Rogatica Counties,
BiH
Leader(s) : Rajko Kusic,
Major Commander
Battalion Borika, 1
Brigade Drina
Corps, Serbian
Republic of BiH
*497
Alleged Members : An identified
person, whose
name is not
disclosed for
confidentiality and
prosecutorial
reasons
Source(s) :
 BiH Bulletin No. 3, March 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29841-29884, at 29866-29867.
 United Nations Military Information Branch, Report on Who's Who in Former Yugoslavia,
No. 1, 1 February 1994, IHRLI Doc. No. 62101-62173, at 62141.
Alleged Activity :
According to a witness, Serbian paramilitary forces under the command of Rajko Kusic killed
49 prisoners during a fake prisoner exchange. Serb forces under the command of an identified
member of the group forced prisoners from Visegrad onto a bus, under the pretence of a prisoner
exchange in Han Pijesak. However, once the prisoners were on the bus, several Serb soldiers tied
them up, and then beat and taunted them. Eventually, the bus arrived at a curve along a muddy road.
The Serb forces ordered the prisoners off the bus, walked them up the road, then killed 49 of the
prisoners and piled them in a pit. *498
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under Milan Lukic.

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Masked with camouflage uniforms and «Cetnik insignias».
Origin : Visegrad County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Visegrad County, BiH
Leader(s) : Milan Lukic
Source(s) :
 Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Fifth Periodic Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the
Territory of the Former Yugoslavia, U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/1994/47 (17 November 1993),
IHRLI Doc. No. 52399-52435, at 52430.
 Amnesty International Submission to the Commission of Experts, 16 November 1992,
IHRLI Doc. No. 34967-35017, at 34993.
 Zdravko Grebo, Report Sent to Tadeusz Mazowiecki, 19 November 1992, IHRLI Doc. No.
49183-49201, at 49192- 49193.
 Republic of BiH, Report Submitted to the Commission of Experts, 5 July 1992, IHRLI Doc.
No. 34732-34763, at 34734.
Alleged Activity :
According to reports submitted to the Commission of Experts, Milan Lukic from the village of
Rusti in Visegrad, BiH, commanded paramilitary forces operating in the Visegrad region. Lukic's
forces allegedly abducted two sets of Muslim civilians who have since disappeared. He is also
accused of murder, deliberate destruction of Muslim property, and molestation of young Muslim
women at the «Vilina Vlas» and «Bikavac» hotels. *499
A report, based on information received from the BiH Ministry of Internal Affairs, states that
on 18 June 1992, 22 Muslims were killed on the new bridge in Visegrad by Lukic and his men.
According to the report, the Lukic forces killed the civilians by various methods : children were
dropped from the bridge and shot before they hit the water, others died when their kidneys were
torn out, and some were tied to car bumpers and dragged through the streets. The report states that
Lukic's forces did not act alone on 18 June but were linked with members of the Popovic Group
(another paramilitary group operating in Visegrad at the time and commanded by Srpko Popovic).
*500
Milan Lukic and his men allegedly abducted 16 Sandzak Muslims from the village of Sjeverin
on 22 October 1992. According to Amnesty International, eight armed and masked men boarded a
bus the victims were travelling in as it entered BiH in the Visegrad municipality. The men then
escorted the Muslim passengers off the bus and onto an army truck. The truck, which had no license
plates, carried the civilians towards the town of Visegrad. According to witnesses, the Muslims
were told that they were to be exchanged for Serbs who were captured the night before. The
Belgrade newspaper, Borba, citing military sources in Serbia, reported that the Muslims were killed
near Visegrad later that same day. *501
On 19 February 1993, Lukic's forces allegedly performed a similar operation at the Strpci train
station in BiH. Witnesses state that 19 Muslim passengers on the train were abducted by
paramilitary forces under Milan Lukic. The forces all wore camouflage with «Cetnik insignia». The
victims were led onto a military truck and driven away from the train station. *502
Lukic was reportedly arrested and detained briefly in relation to both of these incidents on 26
October 1992 and again in February 1993. According to Amnesty International, the leaders of the
«Serb Republic of BiH» deny the existence of paramilitary forces in the Visegrad region and refer
to Lukic and his paramilitary forces as «volunteers» fighting under the command of the Visegrad
Brigade. However, according to Borba, Lukic's forces were not controlled by the army or the local
authorities in Visegrad. *503
Name of Unit : Martic's Police or Militia (Marticevci)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Reportedly had access to federal army uniforms.
Origin : Krajina, Banija, Kordun, Slavonia.
Area(s) of Operation : Regions of Krajina, Kordun, Banija, Western Slavonia, Eastern
Slavonia, Croatia; and Brcko, Doboj, and Hadzici Counties, BiH.
Political Affiliation : Affiliated with Milan Martic, former police chief and Interior Minister
of the Krajina region, and currently the president of the RSK.
Leader(s) : Milan Martic, Captain Dragan, Dane Bunjevac (unit commander of
Krajina militia in Plaski), *504 Mladenovic (local commander in UNPA
Sector East) *505
Identified Members : Five identified men, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
 M. Cherif Bassiouni, Reports Obtained During the Commission Mission to the Former
Yugoslavia -- April 1993, 11 May 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 15899-906.
 Meriel Beattie, «At Least Four Dead in Fresh Battles Between Serbs and Croats», Reuters,
14 August 1991, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 «Belgrade Radio Reports Martic's Claim of 30 Killed in Ljubovo», BBC Summary of World
Broadcasts, 5 July 1991.
 Nesho Djuric, «Serbian Guerrillas Fight for Croatian Territory», UPI, 19 August 1991,
available in LEXIS, News Library, UPI File.
 Alan Ferguson, «Belgrade Puts Pressure on Rebellious Republics», Toronto Star, 26 June
1991, at A1.
 «The Fighting in Croatia in Brief», BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 25 July 1991.
Merie
 Donald Forbes, «Croats and Serb Guerrillas Fight in a Dozen Towns», Reuters, 11
September 1991, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 Misha Glenny, The Fall of Yugoslavia (1993).
 Blaine Harden, «Guerrillas, Army Shell Croatian City; Republics' Leaders Open Peace
Talks», Washington Post, 21 August 1991, at A8.
 Peter Humphrey, «Bosnia Holds Emergency Defence Meeting after Serb Incursion»,
Reuters, 9 June 1991, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 David C. Isby, «Yugoslavia 1991 -- Armed Forces in Conflict», Jane's Intelligence Review,
September 1991, IHRLI Doc. No. 26349A1-26349A63, at 26349A26.
 Jonathan S. Landay, «Dispute Over Army Role in Croatia Focus of Presidency Meeting»,
UPI, 26 July 1991, available in LEXIS, News Library, UPI File.
 Letter from Citizens of Siroka Kula and Relatives of Missing Persons to ECMM (Zagreb),
15 January 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 19122-19126.
 Tyler Marshall, «Serbs and Croats Face Off Along Frontier of Hatred», Los Angeles Times,
14 July 1991, at 1.
 Ministry of Information, Republic of Croatia, Concerning the Implication of Persons and
Institutions from the Republic of Serbia in Terrorist Acts Carried Out in the Republic of
Croatia, IHRLI Doc. No. 18476- 485.
 «Other Report on Croatian Conflict», BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 2 August 1991.
 Report of the Republic of Croatia Pursuant to the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 780 of 5 October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 2794-2984.
 «The Sandzak Referendum in Brief», BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 4 November
1991, available in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 State Commission for Gathering Facts on War Crimes in the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulletin, No. 2, February 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29792-840, at 29827-828.
 Note from Anne-Marie Thalman, Humanitarian Affairs Officer Civil Affairs, to Georg
Mautner-Markof, Chief, Special Procedures Section, Centre for Human Rights, Zagreb, 19
November 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 49183-201 at 49197.
 Report on Statements about Violations of the Second Protocol to the Geneva Conventions
Concerning Slunj, the Surrounding Villages Situated in the Regions South of Slunj and
Villages in the Municipality of Korenica, IHRLI Doc. No. 55082-117.
 Dessa Trevisan, «Croat Police Given Army Ultimatum», The Times, 3 April 1993, available
in LEXIS, News Library, Curnws File.
 UNPROFOR, Allegations of Human Rights Violations, 22 April 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
24426-24800 at 24432, 24439.
 UNPROFOR, Press Summary Belgrade, 19 October 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 45390-393, at
45390.
 US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 34165-203 at 34170.
 Eileen Yin, «Yugoslav Political Leaders Hold Crucial Talks on Country's Future», UPI, 22
July 1991, available in LEXIS, News Library, UPI File. «Yugoslav Army Halts Croat-Serb
Conflict», Washington Times, 1 April 1991, at A2.
Alleged Activity :
Milan Martic became the most prominent organizer of Serbian militia forces in the Krajina
region of Croatia. When the armed conflict between Croatians and Serbians began in the Serb
stronghold of Knin in August 1990, Martic served as the local Serb police chief and military
organizer. Martic apparently continued as the leader of the Krajina militia when Croatian Serbs
declared the autonomous region of «SAO Krajina» in March 1991 and when the Republic of
Serbian Krajina (RSK) was established. Martic served for a long period as the Interior Minister of
the RSK and was elected president of the RSK in January 1994.
It is difficult to establish Martic's role in particular military and paramilitary activities. The
reports submitted to the Commission of Experts do not clearly delineate Martic's authority over the
various paramilitary groups which operated in the Serbian-controlled regions of Croatia and do not
clearly signify how Martic's authority may have expanded or diminished as his own role within the
rump RSK government changed. While Martic, as the Knin police chief and RSK Interior Minister,
clearly controlled a large force of police and police reservists, it is not clear how this force was
related to the «SAO Krajina Militia», which has also been closely identified with Martic. A number
of reports mention both Martic and a Krajina militias, suggesting that they may have been different
forces. *506 The organization of a RSK army separate from Krajina militia and police forces is not
well understood, but by October 1993, the Politika newspaper reported that the RSK military
supported RSK President Goran Hadzic, while the police backed Interior Minister Martic in their
political disputes. *507 For these reasons, this report summarizes only the activities of groups clearly
identified as Martic forces.
Most of the reports on which this summary is based do not describe the personal involvement
of Martic in planning or executing actions attributed to Martic forces. They are connected to him
only because reports describe the groups involved as Marticevci, Martic Police or Martic Militia.
An exception is the report from Croatian authorities, stating that Martic met with Komazec Ozren
and Adam Davor on 10 April 1991 and instructed them to ignite explosives in Zadar, which they
allegedly did. *508
Serbs in Croatia began to organize paramilitary forces in 1990, prior to the declaration of an
independent Serbian Krajina within the borders of Croatia. By mid-July 1990, the paramilitary
forces reportedly had an estimated 12,000 members. *509 The forces commanded by or loyal to
Milan Martic were known as Marticevci. In an interview reported in July 1991, Martic claimed that
the Krajina forces he commanded had 7,000 police regulars and 20,000 reservists. *510 Several
reports indicate that Captain Dragan commanded one of the Marticevci forces, *511 but the links
between Captain Dragan and Martic are not clear.
When the Serbs in Knin declared the autonomous region of «SAO Krajina», Martic headed the
Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SUP) of the government led by Milan Babic. *512 As Interior
Minister and military organizer, Martic was widely regarded as effective in building the strength of
the Krajina militia. *513 Initially, the Marticevci was comprised largely of ethnic Serbian members
of the existing Croatian police forces. Serbian members of Territorial Defence Forces and
volunteers from other parts of Yugoslavia also joined the militia loyal to Martic. *514
In the early stage of the conflict, Marticevci police forces attacked Croatian police stations and
clashed with Croatian police forces in several villages. Federal army units were deployed to
separate the Croatian and Serbian police after the battle for control of the Plitvice National Park,
during which two people were killed. *515
Following the fighting in the Plitvice region, the Serb authorities in Knin announced that they
were uniting with the Republic of Serbia. Martic claimed that Serbian President Milosevic had
promised weapons and assistance to the Krajina Serbs if they came under attack. Officials in Serbia
did not comment on his remarks. *516
The Republic of Serbia and the Serb-dominated federal army reportedly backed the Marticevci
and other Serb insurgents in Croatia. The Marticevci had access to federal uniforms, maps, vehicles,
and weapons. *517 The federal army also fought with the militias against Croatian forces, even as
federal army officials continued to insist that the army was only acting as a buffer between Croatian
and rebel Serb forces. *518
Following the Croatian declaration of independence on 25 June 1991, the Serbian rebels
attacked the Croatian police station in Glina. Three policemen were killed and seven injured. On 2
July Krajina militia forces attacked Croatian police in Licki Osik, and, according to Martic, 10
people were killed. *519 Other Croatian villages were reportedly attacked as well. The federal army
moved to separate the Croatian and Serbian fighters; Croatian sources claimed that the army was
protecting the rebels. *520
Marticevci forces and Croatian forces clashed often during the summer and fall of 1991.
Fighting erupted in the regions of Krajina, Banija, Kordun and Western and Eastern Slavonia.
Numerous cities and villages were engulfed in the conflict, including Gospic, Zadar, *521 Vinkovci,
Mirkovci, Josipdol, *522 Dvor na Uni, *523 Plaski, *524 Selo Plastovo, Sibenik, Otocac, *525 Beli
Manastir, Borovo Selo, Borovo Naselje, Topusko, *526 Pakrac, and Okucani. *527
Federal army and Serbian rebel forces jointly attacked Croatian towns and villages on several
occasions. On 21 August 1991, the combined forces shelled Osijek, killing three civilians and
damaging a cathedral and apartment buildings. *528 The army did not deny taking part in the
shelling but claimed that it was responding to an attack by the Croatian National Guard on a federal
army installation near the city. *529 On 28 August 1991, the village of Korana in Slunj County was
allegedly attacked by army tankfire and Martic forces. Women and children reportedly fled from
the village, while the fate of 20 remaining Croatian men is unknown. The village was allegedly
destroyed. *530
The federal army also allegedly followed a pattern of occupying Croatian towns and villages
after attacks by Marticevci and other rebel forces. Therefore, even when the army did not directly
participate in the fighting, it helped rebel Serb forces gain control of a large portion of Croatia. *531
In addition to fighting other armed forces, the Marticevci and other Serb rebels have been
accused of attacking civilians, «ethnic cleansing», and abuses in detention.
«Ethnic Cleansing» and Attacks on Civilians : Members of the Martic Police and Yugoslav
Army allegedly killed civilians, burned houses, and looted property in Saborsko from 1 August to
12 November 1991. During this period, 40 civilians were killed and 34 people were reported
missing in Saborsko. *532
In the village of Siroka Kula during August to October 1991, Martic police forces based in
Licki Osik allegedly restricted the movement of Croatian villagers, cut off telephone links, and
subjected prisoners to forced labour. Citizens of Siroka Kula were allegedly tortured and killed, but
it is unclear whether Martic police or other paramilitaries were responsible. *533
Approximately 70 members of Martic's group, along with other paramilitaries, were
responsible for «ethnic cleansing» in the area of Donji Vakuf. *534
In December 1991, a named man and other members of Martic's police killed civilians, burned
houses and evicted people from their homes in the Croatian villages of Smilcic, Sopot and Paljuv.
*535
In December 1991, about 22 Croatian citizens were killed in their homes by Martic's militia,
reportedly in retaliation for 19 Martic members allegedly killed while fighting against the Croatian
Army. *536
A named member of Martic's Militia, along with members of the Territorial Defence of SAO
Krajina, allegedly attacked civilians in Catrnja on several occasions. On 1 June 1992, he reportedly
killed a civilian man from Catrnja; on another occasion, he killed three women from the village and
then burned their bodies. *537
Abuses in Detention : Martic's militia and other paramilitary groups allegedly organized camps
and prisons in Croatia at Beli Manastir, Knin, Stara Gradiska, Glina, Titova Korenica, Zeljava, and
Bucje. *538 In these camps, civilians, Croatian Army troops, and Croatian Ministry of Interior
troops were mistreated and executed. *539
Martic and his forces imprisoned Croatian policemen in several cities. Croatian authorities
alleged that two Croatian policemen from Sibenik were arrested by Martic in Civljane on 1 April
1991, and detained for 15 days. According to one account, 120 Croatian policemen were being held
in Knin on 26 June 1991, and Martic threatened to capture more. *540 According to a Belgrade
radio report, eight Croatian policemen from Dvor na Uni were imprisoned in Knin in July 1991, at
which time the Knin prison contained 42 members of Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP)
forces. *541
In September 1991, six members of Martic's militia were accused of torturing and terrorizing
imprisoned civilians and members of the Croatian Army held at the fortress in Knin. *542
On 31 December 1991, three Croatian soldiers travelling from Podgradina to Novigrad were
captured in Paljuv by members of the ex-Yugoslav army and handed over to members of the Martic
police forces. Martic's men allegedly killed one of the soldiers with a bullet to the head; the fate of
the other two is unknown. *543
Martic police allegedly arrested a Catholic priest from Dreznik in the Kordun region and
imprisoned him in Titova Korenica. *544
Marticevci Activity in BiH : In addition to the widespread involvement of the Marticevci in the
conflict in Croatia, Martic forces also operated in BiH. On 8 June 1991, a special battalion of the
SUP staged a one-day exercise in Titov Drvar to gauge combat-readiness. The exercise was
reportedly commanded by Martic, who stated that there would be further exercises in BiH and that
the exercise had erased the border between Krajina and BiH. *545
In October 1991, a group of Marticevci allegedly stormed a polling station in Hadzici near
Sarajevo, to stop voting on a referendum on Sandzak autonomy. *546
Martic forces from Bosanska Krajina were allegedly the last Serbian forces to hold Brcko
following the Serbian attack which began on 1 May 1992. *547
Martic forces were allegedly involved in the Serbian attack on Doboj, which began on 3 May
1992. A husband and wife were attacked and robbed by Serbian soldiers, identified by the victims
as the «Martic gang». The man was beaten and cut with a knife; his wife was raped. *548
Name of Unit : Montenegro Guard

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Camouflage with white cloth tied around the left shoulder
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Foca County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62612- 62877, at 62782-62786.
Alleged Activity :
According to the US Government, the Montenegro Guard participated in «ethnic cleansing»
operations in Jelec, a village near Miljevina in south-eastern BiH. Allegedly, the Montenegro Guard
and members of other paramilitary units, including the White Eagles and the Vukovar Unit, shelled
the town and killed remaining Muslim civilians after 23 April 1992. The raid on Jelec began on 18
April 1992, when paramilitary forces blocked the roads to the town and ordered Muslims to
surrender their weapons by 22 April to a Bosnian Serb delegation at the military complex in
Miljevina. On 23 April Serb forces began shelling Jelec and the surrounding villages, forcing the
residents into hiding in the surrounding hills. The Montenegro Guard and other ground forces
moved into Jelec on 4 May. They arrived in seven military buses and were given orders to search
the area for Muslims. At least 16 Muslims were allegedly shot and buried in two graves in a potato
field one kilometre west of Jelec. *549
Name of Unit : Radoja Nikolic's Paramilitary Groups

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : Radoja Nikolic
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
Radoja Nikolic allegedly led Serbian paramilitary groups in Grbavci near Zvornik. *550
Name of Unit : Special Forces from Niksic

Ethnicity : Montenegro Serbs
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Niksic, Montenegro, FRY
Area(s) of Operation : Gacko County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Submission from David Hepburn, ECMM Liason Officer, UK Mission, to the Commission
of Experts, 29 April 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 20269-20546, at 20271-20285.
Alleged Activity :
Witnesses from the villages around Gacko, BiH, stated that in June 1992, their villages were
destroyed and Muslim civilians were tortured and killed by Niksic paramilitary forces, White
Eagles, local Serbs and JNA soldiers. On 18 and 19 June, the villages in the area allegedly were
shelled, and Muslims were rounded up for interrogation and transportated to Trebinje. Many of the
civilians fled into the forests in the nearby mountains from where they could see the paramilitary
forces moving through the villages and burning the homes. *551
According to one witness, many of the civilians hiding in the forests surrendered on 12 July
1992. They were taken in military trucks to Gacko and interrogated at the police station, where
witnesses reported many village possessions were stored. The civilians were asked where their male
relatives could be found. The male Muslim prisoners were reportedly held in the basement of a
hotel in the suburbs of Gacko. *552
Eventually, in late July, the women and children were deposited at the front-line near
Berkovici, where Serb forces were fighting members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO). The
civilians were forced to cross the battle lines over minefields towards the HVO who fed them and
transferred them to Mostar, Capljina, or Ljubuski, BiH. *553
Witnesses from the Gacko region alleged that the Serbian forces, including the forces from
Niksic, destroyed and looted villages, blew up at least one bridge, shot and burned some civilians
and mutilated others. Witnesses stated that almost none of the Muslim males from the area
survived. *554
Name of Unit : Paramilitary Forces from Padinska Skela
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Large, black cowboy hats with ribbons
Origin : Padinska Skela, FRY
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, Report on Èthnic Cleansing Operations' in
63996.
Alleged Activity :
According to the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, paramilitary forces from
Padinska Skela participated in the April 1992 attack on Zvornik in north-eastern BiH, along with
other paramilitary units including Arkanovci, Seseljovci, Dusan the Great, Anticevci, the White
Eagles, Captain Dragan's men, the Vukovar Unit, and others. *555
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under Risto Perisic

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : Risto Perisic
Source(s) :
Statement of Hidajeta Omerovic, Security Department, Ministry of Interior, Republic of
BiH, Case File 353/1992 (5 July 1992) IHRLI Doc. No. 34732-759, at 34734.
Alleged Activity :
Risto Perisic, President of the Serbian community, was one of the organizers of «ethnic
cleansing» in the Visegrad region. He was formerly a teacher of Serbo-Croatian. *556
Name of Unit : Popovic Group

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Visegrad, BiH
Leader(s) : Srpko Popovic
Source(s) :
Zdravko Grebo, Report Sent to Tadeusz Mazowiecki, 19 November 1992, IHRLI Doc. No.
49183-49201, at 49192- 49193.
Alleged Activity :
The Popovic Group was reportedly involved in the deaths of 22 Muslims in Visegrad on 18
June 1992. The Popovic unit worked with forces under Milan Lukic to kill Muslim civilians. A
report also states that the Popovic Group killed many Muslims at the Visegrad Electric Plant and
threw the corpses into the Drina river. The Popovic Group burned a group of 60 civilians in a
house, drowned victims by tying them up and throwing them into the river, and looted Muslim
homes in Visegrad. According to the report, Popovic once killed 17 civilians in a single day. *557
Name of Unit : Radosavljevic/Lukic Unit

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Podravska Slatina County, Croatia
Political Affiliation : Serbian Democratic Party (SDS)
Leader(s) : Borivoje Lukic and Borivoje Radosavljevic
Source(s) :
 Republic of Croatia, Report to the Commission of Experts, IHRLI Doc. No. 2794-2984, at
2810.
 Amnesty International, Yugoslavia : Further Report on the Deliberate Killings in the War
Zone, 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 3538-3565, at 3544.
Alleged Activity :
During June 1990, the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) was established in Podravska Slatina,
led by lawyer Ilija Sasic. Party members armed themselves and established «camps for the
education of terrorists» *558 in Vocin, Sekulinci, Bucje, Zvecevo and Ceralije. On 19 August 1991,
a «terroristic unit» under the command of Borivoje Lukic and Borivoje Radosavljevic disarmed and
mistreated Croatian policemen at the police station in Vocin. *559 On the same day, «Cetniks» *560
harassed Croatians in the «Prevenda» quarter of the city, searching their homes and confiscating
their weapons. While Serbians remained in control of Vocin, Croatians were tortured and arrested,
and suffered forced labour and property confiscation. When the «Cetniks» retreated on 12-13
December 1991, they killed Croatian civilians in Vocin, Hum, Kraskovic and Bokane. Public and
private buildings were destroyed, including the Catholic church in Vocin.
Name of Unit : Radulovic Irregulars *561

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Zecovi (county unknown), BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Alleged Members : Three identified men, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
Several members of this group were identified for their alleged violations in locations not
identified for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *562
Name of Unit : Forces under Braco Rakanovic

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Gorazde County, BiH
Leader(s) : Braco Rakanovic
Alleged Members : Two identified people, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
Several members of this group were identified for their alleged violations in locations not
identified for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *563
Name of Unit Rambos

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Webbed masks, black gloves, and black ribbons tied around
their foreheads
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Genocide : Ethnic Cleansing in Northwestern Bosnia (Ante
Beljo ed., 1993), IHRLI Doc. No. 39889-40025, at 39953.
Alleged Activity :
According to one witness, the Rambos carved the Cetnik insignia (four cyrillic S's) into a
victim's chest, cut the sinews in one individual's leg and the spine of another so that he was instantly
paralysed. *564 The witness noted that the Rambos were sexually aggressive and assaulted both men
and women interned in the camp. On one occasion, the men allegedly took five 13 year-old girls to
a private home and returned them the following day, bearing obvious signs of abuse. A resident
physician managed to suture two of the victims, but the others had to be sent to the hospital in
Prijedor. *565 In another incident, the Rambos chopped off the testicles and gouged out the eyes of a
Czechoslovakian medic. *566
Name of Unit Red Berets

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Nis, Serbia, FRY
Area(s) of Operation : Brcko, Doboj, Prijedor and Teslic Counties, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A *567
Source(s) :
 US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 56320- 57229, at 56328-56329, 57050.
 Victim Testimonies submitted by Dr. Christina Doctare, WHO (Jan. 1993), IHRLI Doc. No.
39240A-39265A, at 39242A.
 Zdravko Grebo, Report Sent to Tadeusz Mazowiecki, 19 November 1992, IHRLI Doc. No.
49183-49201, at 49197.
 UNPROFOR Daily Situation Report, 30 December 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 8275-8276, at
8276.
Alleged Activity :
In late December 1992, UNCIVPOL and local police authorities inspected a Red Beret camp
near Bapska village. The UNPROFOR report, which described the inspection, did not specify the
incident under investigation or the nature of the camp. *568
On 1 May 1992, Red Berets from Nis arrested two Bosnian Muslim brothers at the railway
station in Brcko, while trying to escape from the city. The men were taken to the Luka prison camp,
where they were mistreated and witnessed many atrocities. *569
In May 1992, Red Berets participated in the attack on Gornja Puharska, a village of about 300
Muslim families and six Croatian families. On 17 May regular JNA forces surrounded and attacked
the village. On 29 May, Red Berets entered the village in tanks, accompanied by some non-
uniformed Bosnian Serb irregular forces. *570 The village surrendered and all the men were taken
23 kilometres south-east to Omarska on two buses and a cattle truck. Women and children remained
in the village. At Omarska, Red Berets, JNA, and police provided security and coordinated guard
shifts. *571
Red Beret troops allegedly raped women at the Secondary School Centre in Doboj. One victim
reported that three Red Berets (whom she believed were part of the Knin Corps) raped her
simultaneously after she had been taken to the school by other «Cetniks». *572
Red Beret formations from Banja Luka participated in the «ethnic cleansing» of the Teslic
region, along with the Serbian Militia and the Armada Forces of the Serbian Republic of BiH.
These groups also mistreated 600 prisoners in four prisons in the region, particularly in Banja
Vrucica where 300 Muslims were imprisoned. *573
Name of Unit : SAO Krajina Militia
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Dragovic, Pakrac County, Croatia
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Croatian Information Centre, Weekly Bulletin, No. 2, 16 August 1993, IHRLI Doc. No.
34954-34957, at 34955.
Alleged Activity :
On 12 April 1993, five armed members of the SAO Krajina Militia robbed a Croatian family of
money, valuables and a vehicle in the village of Dragovic, 400 metres from an UNPROFOR
checkpoint. The family was released with the assistance of UNPROFOR and local police.
According to witnesses, the SAO Krajina militia wore uniforms which were different from the
regular army. *574
Name of Unit : Momir Savic's Cetniks

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Leader(s) : Momir Savic
Alleged Members : Six identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
Statement of Hidajeta Omerovic, Security Department, Ministry of Interior, Republic of
BiH, Case File 353/1992 (5 July 1992), IHRLI Doc. No. 34732- 34759, at 34734.
Alleged Activity :
Momir Savic, an independent toolmaker, allegedly organized «ethnic cleansing» in the
Visegrad region. On 13 April 1992, he and his Cetniks reportedly set fire to the villages of
Repusevici, Jarci, Brezje, Sip, Bodeznik, Bluz and Moremeslje. They reportedly stole humanitarian
aid, but their actions worsened after the Uzice corps left Visegrad on 18 June 1992. They then
harassed and arrested Muslims, defaced a mosque, and destroyed the property of Muslims. *575
Name of Unit : Serbian Democratic Party Forces (Srpska Demokratska Stranka) (SDS)
Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Vukovar County and the Crna Gora Region, Croatia
Area(s) of Operation : Gacko and Sarajevo Counties, BiH
Political Affiliation : Serbian Democratic Party
Leader(s) : Miso Radulovic, Vojin Popovic
Alleged Members : Five identified men, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. Nos. 62693, 62711, 62712, 62713.
Alleged Activity :
The State Department reported that the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS), along with members
of the Banja Luka Corps, attacked the village of Kozarac on 23 May 1992. *576 The strength of
their combined force was approximately 3,000 men, 70 T-84 and T-55 tanks, and an unknown
number of armoured personnel carriers. Miso Radulovic, commander of the SDS troops, and a large
number of his troops were reportedly from Vukovar and the Crna Gora region in Croatia.
Seven hundred Muslim villagers defended Kozarac for three days. Approximately 4,500
residents of the village were killed in direct fighting and by artillery and tank shelling. Once the
Serbian force had taken the village, hundreds of Muslims fled to the forest. The SDS and Banja
Luka Corps forces mined the perimetre of the forest to prevent Muslims from finding refuge there.
As a result, many Muslims were killed or badly wounded.
A named member of the SDS Central Committee was located in Pale where he worked for the
Ministry of Internal Affairs of the «Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Hercegovina». He helped arm
local Serbs with weapons obtained from the JNA and actively participated in the arrest of Muslim
intellectuals outside Sarajevo by providing lists with their names and addresses for Serbian
paramilitary units. *577
Another identified member was the former Deputy Commander of the District Highway Patrol
Police in Sarajevo. *578 He joined the SDS in early 1992 and was a commander of troops in Stari
Grad in April 1993. He worked with JNA officers to coordinate an attack on an army depot at
Feletici in May 1992, during which over 20,000 weapons were taken. He and a man named Drago
Sucur also participated in ethnic cleansing in the area around Stari Grad. *579
Another identified member headed the police department in Gacko county and the SDS in
Gacko. *580 Popovic came to Gacko from Serbia in early 1992. He ordered a named man to rid
Gacko County of its non-Serbian population. Within two or three weeks, all Muslims were killed,
sent to Macedonia, or to camps in Serb-held areas.
Another identified member was a former chief inspector in the Sarajevo Internal Affairs
Department and a member of the SDS. *581 Before the war, he was a prominent Communist. As of
mid-April 1993, he was the main political advisor to the commander of the Kolacki Battalion near
Sokolac. During mid-July 1992, this battalion participated in attacks on a number of refugee
settlements, including the village of Sahbegovici, where 60 Muslim women and children were
killed. *582
Name of Unit : Six Districts (Sesta Krajiska)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Banja Luka County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
According to the US Government, on 9 May 1992, the Sesta Krajiska, or Six Districts
paramilitary unit, attacked Sanski Most, occupying the police station and other municipal buildings
there. Seventeen days after the Sesta Krajiska attack, Sanski Most was invaded by the Serbian
Regular army. The Sesta Krajiska allegedly was from Banja Luka and regularly conducted small-
scale military operations in support of the Serbian troops in BiH. *583
Name of Unit : SOS (Srpske Oruzane Snage)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Red berets and arm patches depicting white wolves
Number of Troops : Approximately 12 members
Origin : Belgrade, Pancevo, and Valjevo, Serbia; many had come from Serbia
as part of Arkan's Forces.
Area(s) of Operation : Area from Brcko County to Banja Luka County, including Bosanski
Samac, Modrica, Odzak, Derventa, and Bosanski Brod Counties, BiH
Leader(s) : Crni (Blackie), Lugar (Ranger)
Alleged Members : An identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and
Source(s) :
US Department of State, 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 62684.
Alleged Activity :
Members of the Srpske Oruzane Snage (SOS) came to BiH as part of Arkan's Forces, but later
operated independently. The SOS were reportedly extremely violent, looted property, and killed
Serbs, Muslims and Croats.
The two leaders of the SOS, Crni and Lugar, allegedly killed about 5,000 people in the Brcko
area with firearms and knives. *584 They were reportedly criminals before the war and were
incarcerated in the Kazneno-Popravni Dom Prison in Raska. *585 Crni and Lugar both are described
by the witness. *586
A witness alleged that the 12 SOS members were finally charged with looting and killing and
locked up in Stara Gradiska Prison only because of the international community's awareness. *587
Witnesses claimed that the SOS members were allowed to wander freely through the prison and
repeatedly beat other inmates. No dates are indicated in relation to SOS activities.
Name of Unit : Paramilitary forces under Joja Tintor

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Number of Troops : Over 1,000
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Pale and Vogosca Counties, BiH
Political Affiliation : Eighty members were affiliated with the SDS.
Leader(s) : Joja Tintor and four men, whose names are not disclosed for
confidentiality and proseuctorial reasons
Alleged Members : Twelve identified men, whose names are not disclosed for
Source(s) :
BiH Bulletin No. 3, March 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29841-29884, at 29868-29870.
Alleged Activity :
According to a witness, over 1,000 Serbian irregular forces, 150 soldiers from Rajlovac and
Butile barracks, and 80 SDS extremists, entered Ahatovici and Dobrosevici in south-east BiH on 1
June 1992 and killed approximately 20 Muslim men. The Serb forces also wounded several others
and looted and set fire to Muslim homes. On 2 June 1992, Serb extremists mined and destroyed the
mosque in Ahatovici. During the Serb attack, Serbian irregulars, under the command of Joja Tintor,
also captured 400 women and children and 80 men. *588
Previously, Serb forces captured 150 people from the villages Dobrosevici, Bojnik, and
Mihaljevici in Vogosca, BiH. The Serb forces beat 15 of the men, and eventually transferred them
to Rajlovac, where they were held for 12 days. In Rajlovac, Serb guards beat and killed one of the
prisoners. A named guard took 55 prisoners by bus to a supposed prisoner exchange. However,
when the bus reached Sokolina, near Srednje, the Serb guards left the bus. Serbs troops in the
surrounding hills then fired on the bus with rocket launchers, bazookas, and infantry weapons.
Forty-seven of the prisoners reportedly died in the attack. *589
Name of Unit : Commander Turtle's Units

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Foca, Visegrad and Cajnice Counties, BiH
Leader(s) : A man identified by the pseudonym of Dusko Kornjaca
(«Commander Turtle»)
Source(s) :
Peter Maas, «In Bosnia War, A Serb Doctor Becomes `Commander Turtle,'» Washington
Post, 12 September 1992, available in LEXIS News Library, Curnws File.
Alleged Activity :
«Dusko Kornjaca», *590 a doctor, is allegedly a Bosnian Serb warlord who fought under the
name of «Commander Turtle». He also held the titles of «Defence Minister of the Serbian
Autonomous Region of Hercegovina» and «Commander of the Cajnice War Committee». As of
September 1992, he was the boss of portions of eastern BiH, including Foca and Visegrad. *591
Name of Unit : Uzice Corps

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Stocking masks
Origin : Uzice, Serbia, FRY
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Supplemental US Submission of Information to the Commission of Experts, 12 April 1993,
IHRLI Doc. No. 11912-11946, at 11921.
Alleged Activity :
A witness stated that in May 1992, the Uzice Corps shelled the Hotel Drina in Gorazde, which
housed refugees, including women and children. According to the witness, masked paramilitary
forces harassed the Muslim citizens of Gorazde for months. In mid-June, the witness saw Serbian
forces in a settlement at the base of the Povrsnica mountain killing Muslims and throwing the
corpses into the Drina River. *592
Name of Unit : Velebit Unit (Velebitska Jedinica)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Gracac County, Croatia
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
On 20 July 1991, a named man and nine other members of the Velebit Unit allegedly shelled
Lovinac in the municipality of Gracac, killing one local woman. According to a report of the
Republic of Croatia, they attacked Lovinac again on 5 August. One civilian was killed, and a
reserve policeman and a civilian were wounded. The perpetrators also caused significant property
damage in the attack. The members of the Velebit Unit kidnapped five villagers from their houses
and killed them about two kilometres from Lovinac, in the direction of Raduca. *593
Name of Unit : Visegrad Militia

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : White ribbons tied around the arms.
Origin : Serbia and Visegrad County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
A witness stated that he narrowly escaped when the house where he was detained was set afire
by Visegrad Militia guards. The witness stated that many other prisoners died in the fire. On 13
June 1992, Radomir Djuric reportedly came to Koritnik and told the Muslims there that they would
be evicted. The next day, men in camouflage with white ribbons tied to their upper arms entered the
village and loaded 57 civilians onto buses which headed towards Visegrad. At a Serbian checkpoint
on a bridge outside Visegrad, the civilians were searched and forced to surrender their money and
jewelry. The prisoners were then transferred to a house where the women were taken for what the
guards called «interrogations». *594
The witness claimed that there were already five prisoners in the house near the checkpoint
where the villagers were detained. At 10:30 a.m., one of the guards threw a torch into the house and
fired his machine-gun into the rooms holding prisoners. The witness escaped through a window and
ran. In the field behind the house, he was fired upon, pretended he was shot, and lay as if dead.
Throughout the night, he heard machine-guns firing and suspects that none of the other prisoners
survived. *595
Name of Unit : The Visors

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : N/A
Area(s) of Operation : Glina County, Croatia
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
According to a report from the Republic of Croatia, 22 Croatians, mostly elderly people, were
killed in Glinska Josevica village on 16 December 1993, by a special Territorial Defence unit, the
Visors. The victims were killed in their own homes with guns fitted with silencers. The Croatian
report claims that Serbian authorities in Glina initiated that attack as revenge for the death of 19
members of Territorial Defence units, killed in battle with the Croatian Army. *596
Name of Unit : Weekenders (Vikendasi)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Bijeljina County, BiH
Area(s) of Operation : Brcko County, BiH
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
According to the US Government, the Weekenders are a group of Serbian men from Bijeljina
who went to Brcko each weekend to plunder and vandalize. Apparently, they began raiding Brcko
in May 1992, after the Arkanovci and the JNA attacked the town. They continued their raids during
the entire time that the JNA occupied Brcko. *597
Name of Unit : White Eagles (Beli Orlovi)

Ethnicity : Serbian
Uniform : Camouflage with white eagle patches or white bands on the shoulders; also
military and civilian clothes with headbands and hats bearing Kokarda
insignia; former JNA Young Officer and Squad Leader uniforms
Origin : N/A
Areas of Operation : Vukovar County, Croatia and Bileca, Gacko, Visegrad, Bosanska Krupa,
Banja Luka, and Prijedor Counties, BiH
Leader(s) : Nine identified men, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality and
Alleged Members : Nineteen identified men, whose names are not disclosed for confidentiality
Source(s) :
 Republic of BiH, Letter from President Alija Izetbegovic to U.N. Security Council, 4
September 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 91.
 Republic of BiH, Report from Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service Centre, 22
September 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 35683.
 Republic of BiH, Report from Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Security Department, 7
October 1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 33299, 33248.
63996.
 Republic of Croatia, Report Submitted to the Commission of Experts, 5 October 1992,
IHRLI Doc. No. 2842.
 US State Department, Supplemental US Submission to U.N. Security Council, 12 April
1993, IHRLI Doc. Nos. 11915, 11916, 11922, 11923, 11925, 11945.
 Croatian Information Centre, Croatia-BiH : War Crimes Committed by the Yugoslav Army,
1991-1992, IHRLI Doc. No. 15123.
 Croatian Information Centre, Written Statement, 3 November 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 11663,
11679.
 State Commission for Gathering Facts on War Crimes in Republic of BiH, Bulletin,
February 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29819.
 State Commission for Gathering Facts on War Crimes in Republic of BiH, Bulletin, March
1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 29843.
 Canadian Croatian Information Congress (Ontario), Undated Report, IHRLI Doc. No.
43864, 43892. European Community Monitoring Mission, Report on Inter- Ethnic Violence
in Vitez, Busovaca, and Zenica - April 1993, 17 May 1993, IHRLI Doc. No. 20271-20512.
 European Community Monitoring Mission, Report of Gacko Region, 27 January 1993,
IHRLI Doc. No. 5892-95, 6594- 6595.
 An official source, IHRLI Doc. No. 29762.
 Letter from Danny Hynes, DHRC Belgrade, to Kim Steendahl, HQ ECMM Info Section, in
Submission from Kim Steendahl to the Commission of Experts (1 July 1993), IHRLI Doc.
No. 25124-25164, at 25126.
 Department of State, Submission to the U.N. Commission of Experts, IHRLI Doc. No.
54458-62864.
Alleged Activity :
A named man allegedly gathered and trained forces called the White Eagles to operate in BiH
as the paramilitary wing of the Serbian Peoples' Renewal Party (SNO). Apparently, the SNO
volunteer troops never fought in BiH or Croatia. However, paramilitary groups with no formal link
to the SNO co-opted the name «White Eagles» and operated independently during the conflict. *598
White Eagles groups allegedly operated in Bileca, Gacko, Visegrad, Bosanska Krupa, Banja Luka,
Prijedor, and Zvornik Counties in BiH. White Eagles also allegedly participated in attacks in
Vukovar County, Croatia.
White Eagles reportedly worked with the JNA, Uzice Territorial Defence Forces, Dusan the
Great, Arkanovci, Marticevci, Seseljovci, Niksic Special Forces, Serbian Democratic Party (SDS)
forces, SUP, and local police. In Vukovar, the White Eagles and other groups reportedly received
weapons from the JNA. *599 White Eagles units reportedly targeted Muslim and Croatian civilians
and rarely engaged enemy soldiers. *600 The White Eagles allegedly beat, raped, and killed
Muslims and Croats on the roads, in villages, and in camps.
White Eagles units allegedly entered Gacko in March 1992 with the JNA, SUP, Niksic Special
Forces, an «Interviewing Platoon», and local police. *601 The Serbian forces blockaded the city,
detained civilians at the Hotel Rudnik or at the Gacko power plant, and destroyed Muslim cafes,
shops, homes, and cars. *602 Members of the paramilitary units searched the hills around Gacko on
foot *603 and pounded the forests with artillery. *604
In late June, the paramilitary forces told the Muslim civilians that they were free to leave
Gacko. *605 However, approximately six kilometres outside the town, the White Eagles robbed and
beat the fleeing Muslims. One of the Muslim men was reportedly burned alive. *606 The Serbs then
returned the civilians to the Gacko «prisons» where, according to witnesses, some were tortured,
disfigured, and killed by the guards. *607 Muslim women and girls were allegedly killed in the
woods or raped at the Kosuta Motel. *608
According to the European Community Monitoring Mission, the Interviewing Platoon and the
White Eagles, who together ran operations in Gacko, maintained headquarters at the Hotel Rudnik,
*609 the Kosuta Motel, and the Gacko police station. *610 Paramilitary leaders in Gacko were
reportedly Veljo Lojevic (Deputy), Vojin Popovic (Chief of Police), Milan Vukovic (Inspector),
Ranko Vujovic (Policeman), and Ozren Govedarica (leader of the White Eagles). *611
White Eagles allegedly participated in «ethnic cleansing» in Rodic Brdo near Visegrad. *612
They worked as part of the Uzice Corps from early April until the end of May 1992 with the JNA,
Uzice Territorial Defence Forces, and other Serb reservists. *613 In April, the Uzice Corps set up
roadblocks and surrounded the village. Working from a list, they arrested the prominent Muslim
civilians of the town and took them away. *614 The village fell under full control of the White
Eagles on 25 May 1992.
White Eagles arrested, interrogated, and killed Muslims in the villages of Grbavica and
Kremalusa. *615 They came to these villages in early April and May 1992. *616 In Grbavica, the
White Eagles reportedly killed the villagers and burned the corpses with the houses. *617 In
Kremalusa, they surrounded the village, opened fire on the people with machine-guns and mortars,
and burned the houses. *618 White Eagles units allegedly performed similar operations in Banja
Luka, Bosanska Krupa, Novo Brcko, Filipovici, and Lovas. *619
According to the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute, White Eagles participated in an attack on
Zvornik in April 1992 as part of a paramilitary force consisting of Arkanovci, Seseljovci, Dusan the
Great, Draganovci, the Vukovar Unit, and others. *620 The troops reportedly stayed in the Alhos
and Jezero hotels. The White Eagles allegedly participated in the second wave of the attack and
concentrated on the city of Zvornik and the later assault on Kulagrad. They were involved in the
shelling, siege, and occupation and primarily responsible for arrests, deportation and looting. The
report states that the White Eagles were often drunk and «provocative» and that they drew white
eagles on houses and storage buildings. *621
Allegedly the White Eagles' attack on Zvornik originated from nearby villages, across the BiH
border with Serbia. Witnesses stated that the White Eagles wore mixed and matched JNA uniforms,
which they modified by sewing white eagle badges on the caps and upper-arms. *622
At Prnjavor Camp in Krajina, members of a White Eagles paramilitary unit beat and killed two
prisoners, one on 17 May and the other on 6 June 1992. *623 At a detention camp in Bileca, White
Eagles beat a Serb guard severely after he threw away the keys to the prison cells to prevent the
White Eagles from beating the prisoners. Because they could not enter the cells, the White Eagles
reportedly bombarded the prison with tear gas for five hours. *624 White Eagles also reportedly
operated at the Keraterm and Stara Gradiska camps. *625
Reports submitted to the Commission of Experts document White Eagles operations in the
following locations : Banja Luka, Bileca, Bosanska Krupa, Bravnice, Brcko, Dusce, Gacko,
Grbavica, Jelec, Kotor Varos, Kozarac, Kremalusa, Lovas, Paklenica, Filipovici, Prijedor, Rodic
Brdo, Teslic, Trnopolje, Trosanj, Vukovar, and Zepa.
Documents report White Eagle activity in the following camps : Prnjavor Camp, Keraterm
Camp, Stajicevo Camp, Stara Gradiska Camp.
The White Eagles also allegedly operated at the Hotel Rudnik and the Motel Kosuta.
D. Paramilitary groups from outside the former Yugoslavia
Name of Unit : Garibaldi Unit

Ethnicity : Italian
Uniform : N/A
Origin : Italy
Area(s) of Operation : Zadar County, Croatia
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
«Croatian Serbs `Recruit Italian Fighters'», The Independent, 21 October 1993, at 12.
Alleged Activity :
An uncertain number of Italians fought in Croatia on behalf of Serbian paramilitary
commanders. *626 Captain Dragan, a Serbian commander, claimed that he deployed the Italian unit
in the Velebit mountains north of Zadar, Croatia. The Belgrade news agency, Tanjug, reported that
the unit carried out reconnaissance and sabotage missions behind enemy lines. *627
Name of Unit : Russian Mercenaries
Ethnicity : Russian
Uniform : Black uniforms with black berets or flight caps
Origin : Russia
Area(s) of Operation : Eastern BiH, including Bijeljina County
Leader(s) : N/A
Source(s) :
Alleged Activity :
Croatian prisoners in Serb-run detention camps reported the presence of Russian troops in
eastern BiH in February 1993. The prisoners were working as forced labourers for the Bosnian Serb
army on the front line on Majevica Mountain. Sometime between 15 February and 3 March 1993,
prisoners from the Batkovic detention camp were allegedly told not to go near the radio and
television relay tower on the mountain because it was the headquarters for Russian soldiers aiding
the Bosnian Serbs. A Serb guard reportedly said that the Russians, none below the rank of captain,
deserted the Russian military when Boris Yeltsin came to power and belonged to a special unit of
the Soviet Ministry of Defence. *628
One morning between 20 February and 23 February, Croatian prisoners working on Majevica
Mountain observed about 17 of the Russian soldiers, carrying AK weapons, returning to their base
from the direction of Tuzla. The Russians were reportedly dressed in all-black, one-piece uniforms,
and some wore black berets or flight caps. Serb guards said that the Russians had volunteered and
received 200 Deutsche Marks monthly. *629
Russian soldiers were also allegedly present at the Stepa Stepanovic barracks and prison in
Bijeljina in February 1993. A prisoner questioned one of the guards about Russian voices outside
his cell. The guard indicated that 150 Russians had arrived in BiH to help the Serbs and that more
were on the way. The guard also allegedly told the prisoner that the Russians were veterans of the
fighting in Afghanistan, and that they had volunteered but were paid based on the territory they
captured. According to the guard, one group of the Russian soldiers was to go to Maslenica,
Croatia, with the forces of Arkan and Seselj, while another group would remain in BiH. *630
IV. Analysis of reported paramilitary activity by geographic location
A. BiH
1. Banja Luka County *631
Banja Luka county is in the north-west quarter of BiH. According to the 1991 census, the
county had a population of 195,139, of which 54.8 per cent were Serbian, 14.9 per cent Croatian,
14.6 per cent Muslim, 12 per cent described themselves as «Yugoslavs», and 3.7 per cent as
«other». *632
During January and February 1993, while Serbs were seeking international relief to feed their
people and rebuild ravaged towns in northern BiH, a campaign of violence was renewed against
Muslims and Croats in that area. Leaders of both the Muslims and Croats have placed blame for
these attacks on Seselj and Arkan, whose units had been moving into the Banja Luka area in large
numbers. *633 The SOS (Srpske Oruzane Snage) paramilitary group, whose members had originally
come to BiH as Arkanovci, was also reported to be present in Banja Luka. *634
In early February, 11 Muslims were killed and several others were choked to death by cables.
Muslim homes were under attack and many people were fired from their jobs. *635
Croats were also being pressured to leave the Banja Luka area. Homes were being blown up
and robbed by unidentified armed men who told the Croat residents to «go away». Like the
Muslims, many Croats were dismissed from their jobs. Four Croats were killed in early February,
six homes were burned down, and one woman was raped. *636
The nearby village of Celinac experienced a similar fate. Muslims in that village were subjected
to numerous restrictions forbidding them to drive, patronize businesses, make out-of-town phone
calls or leave their homes between 4:00 p.m. and sunrise. Serb forces broke into Muslim homes
each night, took away the men, and demanded that all money be turned over. Others were dismissed
from their jobs. *637
In March of 1993, Seselj allegedly visited Banja Luka with his private guard force, the White
Eagles. He stated in local media interviews that he intended to geographically unite the Serbian
populations of Knin, Banja Luka, the Baranja region, and Montenegro. The visit was part of Seselj's
failed attempt to wrest power from the local SDS leader, Radovan Brdjanin. *638
During the first week of May 1993, two of Banja Luka's mosques, Ferhad Pasa and Arnaudija,
both built in the 16th Century, were reduced to ruins by Serb gunfire and dynamite. Two weeks
before the explosions, while standing before the two mosques, Seselj was reported to have said, «Is
it possible that they are still standing?» *639
2. Bihac County *640
Bihac County is in the north-west corner of BiH. According to the 1991 census, Bihac had a
population of 70,896. The population was 66.6 per cent Muslim, 17.8 per cent Serb, 7.7 per cent
Croat, 6 per cent «Yugoslav», 1.9 per cent «other».
UNPROFOR reported the presence of Muslim paramilitary units called the White Pumas in
Bihac in December 1992. *641
3. Bijeljina County *642
This county is in the north-east quarter of BiH with Serbia on its eastern border. According to
the 1991 census, of its population of 96,796, 59.4 per cent was Serbian, 31.3 per cent Muslim, 4.4
per cent «Yugoslav», and 4.9 per cent «other».
Arkan was reportedly in the town of Bijeljina for about one month preparing his battle plans
before the April 1992 attack. The attack began when a grenade was thrown into a Muslim-owned
cafe. *643
In the first week of April 1992, approximately 1,000 soldiers from Arkan's units crossed the
Drina River from Serbia and entered the town of Bijeljina. The soldiers wore black uniforms and
stocking caps and had unidentified small arms, at least one anti-aircraft gun, light armoured and
regular transport vehicles. They were supported by an unknown, large number of local Serbs drawn
from the area's Serbian population of approximately 45,000. *644 Other reports indicate that in April
1992 Arkan bombarded Bijeljina with mortars supplied by the Yugoslav army. *645 Another report
confirmed that the units which attacked Bijeljina in April 1992 belonged to Arkan and referred to
his men as the best trained and equipped Serbian force. *646
Muslim defence units in Bijeljina fought back. The battles engulfed the town for three days and
nights. Arkan captured the radio station and reportedly broadcast calls for Muslims to surrender
their weapons. *647
On 2 April 1992, Belgrade Radio Belgrade Network reported that most of Bijeljina had been
«liberated» that afternoon by members of the Serbian National Guard of Semberija and Majevica, in
cooperation with Serbian volunteers, Arkan's men, and the Serbian «radicals». A curfew had been
imposed, and hold-outs were encouraged to surrender arms. Shooting could still be heard, according
to the report, because «the last Muslim strongholds [were] being mopped up». *648
According to a Zagreb Radio Croatia Network report, on the night of 2 April 1992, a delegation
of the BiH Presidency and Government managed to approach Bijeljina but was unable to enter the
town. Presidency member Fikret Abdic, Deputy Prime Minister Miodrag Simovic, and Defence
Minister Jerko Doko met near Bijeljina with Arkan but returned afterward to Sarajevo. Reportedly,
the SDS crisis committee for Bijeljina said that the guard of the «Serbian Autonomous Region of
Semberia» was controlling Bijeljina with the help of Arkan's units. *649
A number of reports stated that Arkan's troops harmed residents and property after capturing
the town. According to one report, Arkan's men roamed Bijeljina after it fell, shooting young men
suspected of carrying arms. Yugoslav army troops at the local barracks did not intervene. They later
issued a statement that they had received no orders from Belgrade to do so. *650 One report says
that citizens of Bijeljina phoned Sarajevo radio to say that Arkan's people were terrorizing the town,
breaking into apartments, searching for arms and robbing and harassing citizens. *651 In another
report, residents of Bijeljina said that in the first week of April 1992 Serbian paramilitary troops
belonging to Arkan and Jovic harassed the town's population. *652
It was reported that sporadic gunfire continued on 4 April 1992. *653
A local newspaper reportedly published photographs of Arkan in war-torn Bijeljina. *654 It is
alleged that Arkan warned local Muslim defence units in other towns that if they did not surrender
they would suffer «the same fate as the people in Bijeljina». *655
Reportedly thousands of refugees fled from Bijeljina into Serbia. *656 A May 1992 report
describes a Bijeljina of bloodstained walls, families huddled in basements, dwindling food supplies,
and the sounds of mortar explosions. *657 The SDS crisis committee for Bijeljina reportedly placed
the death toll at 20 and claimed scores of wounded. *658 However, at least 42 bodies were
recovered and identified in the town, 40 of which were described as Muslim. *659
For approximately one month after the initial takeover of Bijeljina, there was an internal
dispute between Arkan and the leader of the local Serbian paramilitary led by Mirko, the owner of
the Serbia Cafe near the bus station. Apparently Arkan had promised control of the town to Mirko
but did not turn it over quickly enough. Arkan's and Mirko's men worked separately in the town for
this month. According to this report, it was Mirko's men, not Arkan's that were primarily
responsible for the killing, raping and looting in Bijeljina. *660
It was reported that Bosnian Serb citizens from Brcko and Tuzla began moving into Bijeljina
and occupying Muslim homes vacated in the attack on the city. Reportedly, these moves were
arranged to minimize Serbian civilian casualties in the military activities in Brcko and Tuzla in late
April and May of 1992. To obtain exit permits from the area, Bosnian Muslims were forced to sign
documents deeding their property to Bosnian Serbs. In mid- June 1992, the Serbian authorities
stopped issuing these permits, and approximately 2,000 elderly Muslims remained in the town. *661
As of 23 September 1992, Arkan and Mirko had turned Bijeljina over to the SDS. *662
In a December 1992 interview, Arkan said that he was «invited» by local Serbs to put down a
Muslim uprising before it began in Bijeljina. *663
A May 1993 report described Bijeljina as under Serb control, with few signs of the «massacre»,
which had taken place over a year earlier. The report says that mosques had been blasted and trees
planted in their place. *664
In October of 1993, however, the reports of expulsions of non-Serbs continued. Those
remaining Muslims and Croats in Bijeljina (estimates put the number at around 5,000) were still
being harassed by the «population exchange commission», headed by Major Vojkan Djurkovic of
the Arkan forces. Those who were able to arrange for passage out of the city have provided
accounts of their forced evictions. Some were given less than 15 minutes to pack their bags. They
were then transported to the agricultural school on the edge of Bijeljina, where they were forced to
hand over all possessions, including their house keys. From there, the displaced civilians were taken
to BiH territory and forced to cross a minefield on the front lines of Tuzla in order to reach safety.
One report notes that every few nights nearly 40 Muslims were taken away by Serbs in this manner.
*665
Another technique to eject Croats and Muslims reportedly employed by the exchange
commission is the movement of Serb refugees into Muslim and Croat homes. *666 This process is
called «cuckoo's nesting». Officials set the maximum amount of living room allotted to each
civilian. This is called the «rationalization of living space». Any non-Serb found to exceed their
specified amount must accept Serb refugees into their homes. The resulting tension between the two
cultural groups often compels the non-Serbs to leave their own homes. *667 Those individuals who
are not «exported» in one of these ways are often duped into paying up to 500 DM to phony travel
agencies who arrange for individuals to be left at the Serbian-Hungarian border. *668
Major Djurkovic has responded to the charges that these activities constitute «ethnic
cleansing». Although he states that Muslims are leaving their homes voluntarily, he further notes
that Bijeljina is situated on «sacred Serbian land». Djurkovic claims to have «thousands of Muslims
separated by the conflict». *669 Furthermore, the Belgrade-based Humanitarian Law Fund reveals
that Bosnian Serb leadership has set a quota for the Bijeljina area, whereby only 5 per cent of the
region's 22,000 Muslims will be permitted to remain. *670
4. Bileca County *671
Bileca county is in southern BiH. In 1991, it had a population of 13,269 with 80.3 per cent
Serb, 14.7 per cent Muslim and 5 per cent «other».
The White Eagles, or Beli Orlovi, is a Serbian paramilitary group which reportedly operated at
the Bileca camp between August and October 1992. One particular incident involving the White
Eagles occurred on 5 September between 9:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m. Here, members of the group shot
and threw tear gas in the windows of a cell holding Muslims for nearly five hours because they
could not get inside. Apparently, the Serb prison guard had thrown away the key to prevent the
White Eagles from entering and was severely beaten for doing so. *672
5. Bosanska Krupa County *673
Bosanska Krupa is a county in the north-west of BiH. In 1991, it had a population of 58,212. Of
this population, 74.5 per cent were Muslim, 23.6 per cent Serb, and 1.9 per cent «other».
Two Croatians report that they were severely beaten with sticks, baseball bats, metal rods, and
a thick rope soaked in water by five members of the White Eagles. This beating occurred in June
1992, while the witnesses were in custody of «the Serbs» in Bosanska Krupa, and lasted for
approximately two hours. *674
6. Bosanska Raca (county unknown)
Arkan's men controlled the bridge over the Sava River in Bosanska Raca. Every Bosnian who
wanted to cross the bridge into Serbia was forced to pay 500 to 800 DM. These operations were
also practised across the Drina River. Serbs operated small boats for a fee of up to 1,000 DM per
person to cross the river. Serbs would rob Muslims under the guise of aiding their «voluntary
resettlement». *675
7. Bosanski Brod *676
Bosanski Brod is in the northern region of BiH, bordering Croatia at the county of Slavonski
Brod. Its population in 1991 was 33,962, with 41 per cent Croat, 33.8 per cent Serb, 12.2 per cent
Muslim, 10.6 per cent «Yugoslav», and 2.4 per cent «other». There are reports of both Serb and
Croatian paramilitary activity in this region.
(a) Serbian paramilitary activity
The SOS (Srpske Oruzane Snage) came to BiH from Serbia as part of Arkanovci but
later separated from them and operated as an independent entity in Bosanski Brod and the
surrounding region. *677
(b) Croatian paramilitary activity
There are reports of the HOS (Hrvatske Oruzane Snage) and the forces of the CDU
(Croatian Democratic Union) operating in the Bosanski Brod area.
The HOS was formed in 1991 as the paramilitary wing of the Croatian Party of the
Right (HSP) and later combined with the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) under the HVO
banner. *678 The HOS had both Croatian and Muslim members who acted together against
Serbian civilians and paramilitaries. They are reported to have acted in the Bosanski Brod
region. *679
The CDU is a Croatian paramilitary group which allegedly killed, raped, and tortured
prisoners at the detention camp of Tulek in Bosanski Brod. Apparently, prisoners were used
for digging trenches, clearing minefields, and other war operations. *680
8. Bosanski Novi County

Bosanski Novi is in the north-west corner of BiH. According to the 1991 census, it had a
population of 41,541. The population was 60.4 per cent Serb, 33.9 per cent Muslim, 3.7 per cent
«Yugoslav», and 2 per cent «other».
The Fifth Kozarac Brigade from Prijedor and the 6th Krajina Brigade from Sanski Most
are two Serbian organizations alleged to have operated together in the Ljubija region. The
Croatian Information Centre reports that these forces attacked the villages of Stara Rijeka,
Brisevo, Raljas and Carakovo. Over 3,000 Serbs participated in this large-scale attack, in
which 73 Croatian civilians were killed. *681
The Croatian Defence Forces (HOS) headquarters are said to have been formally
located at Ljubuski. *682
9. Bosanski Samac County *683
Bosanski Samac is in the north-east quarter of BiH with Croatia on its northern border. As of
1991, the county's population was 32,835 of which 41.5 per cent was Serbian, 44.7 per cent
Croatian, 6.5 per cent Muslim, and 7 per cent «other».
On 19 March 1992, Arkan's forces surrounded a police station in Bosanski Samac. They
allegedly demanded as an ultimatum that the police return the automatic pistols with silencers
which had been confiscated the day before from members of the Yugoslav Army and «Cetnik
formations». Apparently, the «Cetnik formations» had been walking around the city in civilian
clothing armed «to the teeth». *684
Reportedly, a top-level Serbian army military plan of attack for this county, prepared in several
versions, with the classification «NATIONAL DEFENCE-STATE SECRET» and the code name
«MOST», was found on a high-level Yugoslav army officer. The plan established two possible
courses of action for capturing villages in the region. On the one hand, Serbs could organize a
wedding in a town and try to enter the town by making use of false documents and vehicles with
Mostar license plates. The vehicles would contain coolers in which weapons would be hidden. On
the other hand, Serbs could make use of officially custom- sealed truck cabs containing Serbian
«commandos». Military analysts allegedly associated these plans with the tactics involving plain
clothes which have been implemented by Arkan and his troops. *685
On 17 April 1992, regular Serbian soldiers and Seselj's men occupied Bosanski Samac and
imprisoned wealthy and politically involved Muslims. The prisoners were beaten with wooden
sticks, truncheons, and shovels. At least seven died and seven others are still missing. *686
It was reported that the SOS paramilitary group, led by Crni and Lugar, was also in Bosanski
Samac. The report, however, did not specifically provide the dates they were there nor did it
describe their activities. *687
10. Bratunac County *688

Bratunac County is located in eastern BiH, bordered by Serbia. In 1991, the population was
33,575, of which 41.5 per cent were Serbian, 44.7 per cent Croatian, 6.8 per cent Muslim, and 7 per
cent «other».
On 5 May 1992, Arkan's and Seselj's troops surrounded the entire village of Bratunac and upon
their attack, 10,000 Muslims reportedly fled small towns along the Drina River. *689 The villages of
Hraca, Glogovo, and Mihaljevici were burned. During the attacks, an estimated 500 Muslim houses
were burned, and 50 people killed. The bodies of the villagers were found on the banks of the
Drina. *690 Two thousand Muslims were arrested on 9 May 1992. *691 Some were taken to the
police station, which was then allegedly under the control of Arkan and Seselj, aided by the army.
*692
On 10 May, Serbian troops placed 4,000 to 5,000 civilians in a newly established concentration
camp at the FC «Bratstvo» stadium. Others were taken to the playground. Civilians were separated
by gender, and the male Muslims were transported to the elementary school Vuk Karadzic, where a
number of men were beaten. One report states that between 600 and 700 male Muslims were moved
to Vuk Karadzic Primary School Sports Centre. *693 Arkan's and Seselj's military troops and local
«Cetniks» tortured and killed scores of them. The torture included beatings with iron rods and
wooden poles. Some prisoners were taken to an «investigation room» where they were forced to
trample over their fellow inmates' dead bodies. Mutilation also occurred; ears, noses and genitals
were cut off, and the sign of the cross was cut into prisoners' flesh. While being tortured, the
prisoners were made to sing Cetnik songs. Most were killed by gunfire, but in one day it is alleged
that up to 150 people were killed from beatings. Reportedly, individual perpetrators were
responsible for the deaths of 20 or more people. The corpses were eventually thrown into the Drina
River. *694
Eventually the remaining Muslims were brought to the playground, where Arkan and Seselj's
men stripped them of all personal property. *695 They were then separated by gender and the
women were taken to Kladanj by bus, while the men were returned to the elementary school to be
beaten and tortured. Between 30 and 50 of the men were killed. A Muslim priest was stabbed to
death in front of 600 other prisoners for refusing to accept the Christian faith and make a Serbian
sign. The surviving prisoners were then transported to Pale, where the prisoners were forced to
watch the bodies of dead prisoners being burned. One estimate put the death count at 300. Other
killings took place near the River Krizevica-Podgorac and in the quarry near the Drina. Eventually,
prisoners were released as part of an exchange at Vratnica and Visoko. *696
Reportedly, on 23 May 1992, local paramilitary forces commanded by an identified man killed
70 Muslims in front of the mosque in the village of Glogova. *697
11. Brcko County *698
This county is located in north-eastern BiH, bordered to the north-east by Serbia. According to
the 1991 census, Brcko had a population of 87,332, of which 20 per cent was Serbian, 25 per cent
Croatian, and 45 per cent Muslim.
Brcko was overrun by JNA forces in late April and May of 1992. Some reports hold an
identified officer of the JNA responsible for heading up the offensive, *699 while other reports note
that Arkan was in charge of the operation. *700 Explosions destroyed both bridges in Brcko over the
Sava River causing the death of 30 to 50 civilians.
After the shelling, troops under an identified commander as well as local mobilized Serbs
occupied the town. Successive waves of military and paramilitary groups came to the city, and it
appeared that a different group, including Seselj's men, was in control every few days. Martic's
units from Bosanska Krajina were the last to hold the city. *701
During this time, a Serbian group called the Weekenders (Vikendasi) went to Brcko each
weekend, plundering and vandalizing. They began arriving via Bijeljina in May 1992 and continued
to come during the entire time that the JNA occupied the town. *702
During the first 15 days of May, the Muslim males were put under house arrest and subjected to
weapons searches and registration. The actual rounding up of the Muslim population began in the
village of Gluhakovic, close to Brcko. Survivors were taken to one of two collection points, the
«Bimal» factory or the «Autoprevoz» complex. These prisoners were then taken to Luka Camp.
*703
One witness statement noted that between 150 and 200 men were detained at a mosque for two
days before being taken to Luka Camp. *704 At the mosque, a man identified all SDA party
members, and those individuals were killed by Arkan's men on the spot. *705 The witness also
reported that he saw between 300 to 400 persons executed in the town square, under the order of the
head of police and the deputy head of police.
One witness reported that reservists from Bijeljina killed 150 unarmed Muslim and Croat
civilians on 2-4 May 1992. They found the civilians on the street, interrogated them, and then shot
them. At the same time, a JNA commander allegedly told the group not to kill people in the centre
of town, only on the front line. One reservist was also reported to have participated in the tortures
and killings at Luka Camp. *706
A Muslim man from the Meraja-Rosulja section of Brcko had allowed 35 people to take refuge
in his basement during the onslaught. Eventually they surrendered and were taken to the local
medical clinic. The men were then taken to the mosque, and the women and children were later
dispersed to predominantly Muslim villages in the Brcko municipality. The 50 remaining men were
taken to the JNA military barracks gym and beaten by Arkan's and Seselj's units at about 11:00 p.m.
on 1 May. Approximately 10 men were beaten in the hallway of the gym and never seen again. *707
In one instance, the Serbians living in an apartment complex rounded up the Croats and
Muslims living there and put them in the basement. After six days in the basement of the complex,
these prisoners were turned over to Arkanovci. The Arkanovci transported the prisoners to the
military casern in the centre of town. Here, the women and children were separated from the men
and transported to the nearby town of Brezovo Polje. The men were held in the casern's movie hall.
*708
Thereafter, approximately 5,000 civilians from Brcko were taken by the JNA forces and Serb
paramilitaries to the detention camps at Luka. The main camp facilities consisted of an old brick
factory and pig farm. *709 There may have been a total of 10 to 12 warehouses at the camp. *710
The soldiers responsible for the camp, identified as Arkan's, used metal objects for beating
prisoners and cut crosses into people's foreheads to indicate they should be beaten. *711 One
account stated that these men wore black berets. However, responsibility for the camp's
administration was said to have changed every month. *712
One witness reports being placed in a room of one of the camp warehouses, where 200 other
prisoners were being interrogated and beaten by several individuals. *713 In another account, 100
prisoners were said to be warehoused in one room. This witness related that none of the prisoners
received food or water for the first four days of detention. All prisoners were beaten and mistreated,
and some simply disappeared. Most of the abuses occurred near a manhole. The witness personally
observed four people being killed and was himself interrogated and beaten by several Serbian
individuals, one of whom was identified by nickname and was a member of Arkan's units. *714
Another inmate corroborated the allegations of abuse, stating that 24 men were shot, including two
of his friends. However, another prisoner stated that no one in his warehouse was killed, and
inmates were only beaten if they had been accused of something. *715
Some witnesses relate that up to 50 prisoners at a time were killed at the camp. *716 Many of
the killings were carried out in front of the detainees in the third hangar. *717 The bodies were
stacked behind the hangar and then taken away at night to be either dumped in the nearby Sava
River or buried in a mass grave. The mass grave is said to consist of four sites situated 50 metres
east of and behind a tavern called «Westfalia». It is on the road between Brcko and Brezovo Polje,
in a wooded area across from the agricultural complex «Bimex». *718 Still others were destroyed at
a rendering plant which boiled animal remains to manufacture lard. *719 Estimates put the death
count at the Luka camp at 3,000, all of which occurred between 1 May and 7 June. Another source
said that between 3,000 and 5,000 people were killed at Brcko in the month of July alone. Many of
those who were not killed at Brcko were taken to a facility at Batkovic where the prisoners slept
outside on concrete slabs and were forced to work in the nearby fields. A number of American news
reports place the responsibility for these killings upon Arkan, his forces, and Seselj. *720
Cvijetin Maksimovic was a brick-factory worker who served as a prison guard at the Luka
Camp and is being held in a prison camp at Orosje for the crimes he committed during May and
June of 1992 against Luka camp inmates. Maksimovic substantiated the terrible conditions the
prisoners at the camp underwent. He said 500 to 600 Croatians and Muslims slept on concrete
floors and were fed one meal a day. He observed prisoners, classified by «Cetniks» as «suspects»,
driven away for interrogation, and truckloads of as many as 90 dead bodies each shipped from the
camp. Maksimovic reported that Arkan's and Seselj's forces, along with local Serb leaders, had free
reign in the operation of the camp. As a mere guard, he was not allowed to enter the camp until he
survived the Cetnik «initiation rite». *721
Slobodan Panic related similar experiences in the same news report. He was forced to rape five
women or be killed. He was then ordered to shoot two men in the chest and slay two others with a
knife. As with Maksimovic, when Panic protested, a knife was placed in his hand and it was forced
across one of the victim's throats by a Cetnik. Both Panic and Maksimovic fled the prison camp and
were captured by Croatian patrol. They are now awaiting sentencing. *722
The camp itself measured 230 by 150 metres and was surrounded by an electrified fence,
fortified by mines. Prisoners were placed into one of three hangers: the first was 20 by 28 metres
and housed up to 180 men, the second was 20 by 40 metres and housed up to 180 men, and the third
was 20 by 40 metres and housed 300 men, women, and children. In the first hangers the detainees
slept standing up. All detainees were permitted to use the washroom only once a day for no longer
than a minute. In June, goats were brought into the hangers and lived with the detainees. *723
During the same time period, 500 additional civilians were taken to the garrison that housed
Arkan's and Seselj's military formations. These prisoners were robbed and segregated by nationality
and gender. Of these civilians, 474 were reportedly forced to beat each other to death. *724 A major,
identified by name, cut off the ear of one prisoner and forced another to lick the blood. In all, the
prisoners were tortured for two days, which included placing a pistol in prisoners' mouths and using
a bloodied comb to comb their hair. At the end of the two days, only 26 Muslims survived, and they
were taken to Bijeljina and the Luka camp.
On 17 May 1992, Serb soldiers, wearing army uniforms and masks, entered the town of
Brezovo Polje in Brcko County and rounded up all Bosnian Muslims. The able-bodied men were
loaded onto buses and sent to Luka «for interrogation». One thousand women, children and elderly
were packed into eight buses and driven around the countryside for two days. Arriving at the town
of Ban Brdo, the group was held under armed guard in a parking lot for another four days without
food or water. The Serbs invaded the buses each night and led women and girls off at gunpoint to be
raped. The group was then taken to Caparde in Zvornik County, where 50 Serb irregulars,
reportedly followers of Arkan, robbed the mothers and forcibly separated them from their
daughters. The daughters were transported to the Osnovo furniture warehouse in Caparde, while the
mothers were taken on another journey through the war zone. At the warehouse, the men selected
the 40 «prettiest» young women and raped them in groups of ten. *725 One of the perpetrators told
his victim that Seselj's men would have raped them «10 men to one woman». *726
Meanwhile, the mothers had arrived in Tuzla on 23 June, their journey ending only after they
were made to walk 12 miles through the war zone, where the path was littered with human corpses
and animal carcasses. The daughters arrived four days later, after they were allegedly forced to walk
across a mined road. *727
In March 1993, Sarajevo Radio Correspondent Salih Brkic reported that Serbian forces were
«trying to take over the Vlasenica-Zvornik road» near Brcko and Gradacac, using multiple rocket
launchers, mortars, and anti-aircraft guns. He noted that the Serbian forces were still holding up a
humanitarian convoy that was meant to take wounded from Konjevic Polje to Tuzla. Enormous
losses sustained by Serbian forces prompted another 1,500 of Arkan's paramilitary troops to be
mobilized to fight against the Bosnians. *728
12. Cajnice County *729
Cajnice is in eastern BiH, bordering Serbia. Of its 1991 population of 8,919, 52.9 per cent were
Serb, 44.9 per cent Muslim, and 2.2 per cent «other».
Commander «Turtle's» units make up a Serbian paramilitary organization, which allegedly
acted in Cajnice and other parts of eastern BiH. *730 This group is under the command of a Bosnian
Serb doctor, Dusko Kornjaca, who calls himself Commander Turtle. *731 There are no details
reported about their activities.
13. Derventa County *732
Derventa is located in north-eastern BiH, bordered on the north by Croatia. Its 1991 population
was 56,328, of which 40.8 per cent were Serbian, 39 per cent were Croatian, 12.6 per cent Muslim,
and 7.6 per cent «other».
A man was arrested in mid-May 1992 in Derventa by one of Seselj's men while trying to escort
civilians over the Ukrajina River. Seselj's men surrounded the party of 10 and they surrendered.
This group was taken to an abandoned grain mill that held 50 other prisoners, male and female.
Seselj's men interrogated and beat the prisoners with heavy electric cable, truncheons, and the flat
side of a sword. At least two prisoners died as a result. The man was held for 60 days in the mill,
which did not have bathroom facilities and released through a prisoner exchange. *733
The SOS paramilitary group was also alleged to have been active in Derventa, although the
report did not provide any specific dates or incidents. *734
14. Doboj County *735
This county is located in north-eastern BiH. According to the 1991 census, the population was
102,546. Serbs comprised 39 per cent, 13 per cent were Croat, 40.2 per cent Muslim, 5.5 per cent
«Yugoslav», and 2.3 per cent «other».
Arkan's paramilitary units, the White Eagles, and the JNA occupied Doboj in April and May of
1992. *736 Other reports also indicate the presence of the Knindza Turtles, *737 Red Berets, *738 and
Martic's Militia during the attack on Doboj. They shelled and set fire to two mosques and the
Catholic church. Croats and Muslims were ordered to remain indoors as their homes were searched
and looted. Male residents were often arrested, and still others were beaten. Women were taken
away on three buses to a high school, where they were held for 28 days and raped repeatedly. *739
One report specifically mentions the Red Berets as allegedly responsible for at least some of the
rapes at the high school. *740 The city was besieged until August. *741
15. Donji Vakuf County *742
Seventy members of the Serbian paramilitary Martic's Militia acted in conjunction with other
paramilitary groups in the «ethnic cleansing» of the Donji Vakuf area. *743
16. Dragovici (county unknown)
In mid-May, Seselj's White Eagles reportedly skinned three Muslims after hanging them with
meat hooks on an oak tree. *744 Most of the village's Muslim inhabitants were killed and the village
was burned down. *745
17. Foca County *746
Foca County is located in south-eastern BiH with Montenegro as its eastern border. As of 1991,
the population of the county was 40,513, of which 45.3 per cent was Serbian, 51.6 per cent Muslim,
Arkan and Seselj reportedly deployed soldiers in the county of Foca. Reports also indicate the
presence of Commander Turtle's Units, *747 the Montenegro Guard, *748 the Uzice Corps, and Pero
Elez. *749
During the occupation of Foca by Arkan's men in late April 1992, many bodies were thrown
into the river. A Danish photographer in Gorazde witnessed these decomposed bodies downstream
in the village of Gorazde. A concentration camp was established in Foca in the former prison, and
was run by Velibor Ostojic. Seselj's forces and volunteers were said to have participated in the
fighting in the city of Foca, as assistance to the Serbian Democratic Party forces. The fighting took
place in late April 1992. *750
Between 15 April 1992 and 20 April 1992, nine people were killed in the village of Susjesno by
Arkan's men. The nine victims were elderly and did not want to leave their homes. *751
Seselj's forces were part of the paramilitary attack on Ustikolina during April 1992. Serbian
Democratic Party forces and volunteers from Serbia and Montenegro also aided in the assault. All
Muslims fled the village. Mortars, machine-guns, and armoured vehicles were used in the attack.
The Serbian forces also entered the JNA facility in Ustikolina and killed several Muslim civilian
refugees. *752
In Paunci, Serbian Democratic Party forces and Serbian paramilitary forces reportedly killed a
large number of people, mostly women and old men. *753
According to the United States government, the Montenegro Guard participated in operations in
Jelec, a village in Foca. Allegedly, the Montenegro Guard, along with members of other
paramilitary units, including the White Eagles and Vukovar Unit, shelled the town and killed
remaining Muslim civilians after 23 April 1992. The alleged raid on Jelec began on 18 April 1992,
when these forces blocked the roads to town and ordered Muslims to surrender their weapons by 22
April to a Bosnian Serb delegation at the military complex in the nearby village of Miljevina. On 23
April, Serb forces began shelling Jelec and the surrounding villages, sending the inhabitants into
hiding in the hills surrounding the village. The Montenegro Guard and other forces moved into
Jelec on 4 May 1992. They arrived in seven military buses and were given orders to «comb» the
area for Muslims. Allegedly, at least 16 Muslims were shot and buried in two graves located in a
potato field one kilometre west of Jelec. *754
On 14 July 1992, Serbian soldiers identifying themselves as Seseljovci entered the house of a
Muslim family. A woman was beaten on the head by the soldiers who were inquiring about the
location of her husband. These soldiers also cut the throat of a man, drawing blood but not killing
him. The family was taken to the police station along with other Muslims were they were separated
into four groups. These groups were imprisoned for 27 days in four houses, confiscated from
Muslims. The women were raped repeatedly. On 13 August 1992, these women were allowed to
leave on a convoy heading for the Muslim-controlled Sandzak region of Serbia. *755
18. Gacko County *756
This county is located in south-eastern BiH and is bordered on the east by Serbia. According to
the 1991 census, the population of Gacko County was 10,844, 62.4 per cent of which were Serbian,
35.3 per cent were Muslim and 2.3 per cent described as «other». Serbian paramilitary operations
are reported in this county.
In March of 1992, the Serbian White Eagles began destroying Muslim-owned cafes, apartments
and shops in the town of Gacko. Most of the White Eagle participants were local Serbs, except
those who had been refugees from Mostar. On 15 May, the White Eagles began shooting into
homes and making arrests. On 1 June, Muslim men who worked at the power plant were arrested by
Serb soldiers. One hundred of the Muslim men were taken to the military prison in Avtovac.
Meanwhile, more Muslim men were arrested from their homes and taken to the Hotel Terma. *757
Reportedly, on 1 June 1992, Seselj's men and the White Eagles launched an all out attack
against Gacko's Muslim inhabitants. *758 One report also stated that special forces of Niksic and
JNA soldiers were also involved in the attack on Gacko. *759 The attack began with the burning of
several Muslim homes. *760 On 18 and 19 June, the villages were reportedly shelled. Many of the
civilians fled into the forests in the nearby mountains, where they saw the Serb forces moving
through the village burning Muslim homes. *761 Other Muslims were killed or arrested. Those that
were arrested were detained in the lobby of the Elektro Privreda's Hotel before being transported to
the Serbian detention camp at Bileca. *762
Later in June, many Muslims were attempting to leave Gacko with the permission of the
Serbian Municipal Office when they were trapped and shot at by White Eagles. *763 The Muslim
men were pulled out of their cars and beaten. Others were set on fire, jumped upon or hit with iron
rifle butts. *764 The women and children were taken to the Motel Kosuta and later reunited with
their families, but were forced to watch as the White Eagles beat the Muslim men. The women at
the hotel were searched and robbed of their personal belongings, and some of them were raped. The
women and children were eventually returned to Gacko, and the men were taken from the motel to
Gacko prison. *765
At the prison, the men were beaten nightly by White Eagles and by members of the
«Interviewing Platoon». Some were shot to death. The prisoners were then to be taken to Bileca. In
preparing to do so, soldiers lined up to form a path through which the prisoners would pass from
their cells to the transport trucks. As the prisoners walked through the line of soldiers, they were
beaten with rifle butts and poles. Others were killed. A total of 170 Muslims survived and were
taken to Bileca, where they were kept in a basement room, 120 square metres in size. The prisoners
were beaten three times during the night under 2,000 watt lamps. *766 They were allegedly beaten
every day with wooden and metal sticks by as many as 10 guards at a time. Prisoners were not
allowed to go to the bathroom or eat for three days. Four men were beaten to death between 2 and 4
July. *767 On 10 August, prisoners were to be interviewed by news agencies. They were allowed to
shower and shave for the interviews, but afterwards were allegedly tortured for telling reporters the
truth about the camp conditions and abuse. The imprisonment continued from 1 June to 18 August
1992. *768 At that time, 378 prisoners were exchanged in Stolac.
One report stated that 4 July was the date of the final roundup of remaining Muslim villagers.
Soldiers went house to house and gave residents two minutes to leave. One witness estimated that
980 people were forced to leave at that time. They were taken to the Serbian-Macedonian border
where a relief organization took them on to Skopje. *769
However, another report indicates that those civilians that were hiding in the forests did not
surrender until 12 July 1992. These civilians were allegedly taken in military trucks to Gacko and
interrogated at the police station where witnesses reported many village possessions were stored.
The civilians were asked about their male relatives and where they could be found. Reportedly the
male Muslim prisoners were held in the basement of a hotel in the suburbs of Gacko. The women
and children are reported to have been taken to the front-line near Benkovici in late July where the
Serb forces were fighting members of the HVO. The women and children were forced to walk
across the battle lines over minefields towards the HVO who fed them and transferred them to
Mostar, Capljina or Ljubuski, BiH. *770
19. Gorazde County *771
Gorazde County is in the south-east of BiH and had a 1991 population of 37,505. Of that
population, 70.2 per cent were Muslim, 26.2 per cent were Serb, and 3.6 per cent were «other».
There are reports of both Serb and Muslim paramilitary activity in this area.
The following Serbian forces worked independently and in concert in Gorazde during
the months of May and June 1992: the Uzice Corps, Garavi Sokok Forces, and units under
the command of Braco Rakanovic. *772 These groups are reported to have harassed Muslim
civilians and looted property in Gorazde and the surrounding villages. They are also
mentioned in connection with the mid-June attacks on a settlement near Kokino village and
one near Povrsnica mountain. One witness reports seeing «Serbian soldiers» killing Muslim
civilians and throwing their corpses in the Drina River sometime after these attacks. *773
(b) Muslim paramilitary activity
The Green Berets are a Muslim paramilitary group said to have operated in the Gorazde
region. Apparently, the Green Berets attacked the village of Vitkovci between 3 and 5 May
1992. Reportedly, they also took Serbs to local Muslim-run detention camps, in order that
they be killed. *774
20. Jablanica County *775
Jablanica is located in the central south-west region of BiH. According to 1991 figures, it had a
population of 12,664 which was 72.1 per cent Muslim, 17.8 per cent Croat, 6.1 per cent «other»,
and 4 per cent Serb.
The Black Swans and MOS (Muslim Armed Forces), both are Muslim paramilitary groups
alleged to have operated in Jablanica County. Apparently, these groups made a joint attack on the
village of Doljani on 28 July 1993. *776 The attackers are said to have mutilated and killed 24
people, both civilians and soldiers. The corpses' eyes were plucked out, their ears cut, and stomachs
slit open. *777
The same report indicates that Serbian villagers fleeing from the attack were shot down as they
crossed Stipica Meadow. Those who did survive were taken to a nearby room where they were
detained with others, including one HVO soldier who had been shot in the chest. They were given
nothing to eat and only water to drink. After one day of detention, the prisoners pried the bars of the
cell windows loose and escaped. One witness recognized the MOS forces acting in this incident,
saying they were from Jablanica. *778
21. Kalinovik County
This county is in south-eastern BiH. The pre-war population was 4,657, of which 60.6 per cent
were Serbian, 37.1 per cent Muslim, and 2.3 per cent «other». Only Serbian paramilitaries were
reported to be operating in this county.
Seseljovci and Russian volunteers were called in to Kalinovik during February 1993, at the
request of Commander Ratko Mladic, when the Kalinovik «Cetniks» were reportedly refusing to
obey orders from their most extreme commanders. The goal of the new troops was to restore the
self-confidence of the local «Cetniks». *779
22. Konjic County *780
This county is located in the south central part of BiH, approximately 45 kilometres south-west
of the centre of Sarajevo. Konjic's population as of 1991 was 43,636. The population was 15.2 per
cent Serbian, 26 per cent Croatian, 54.5 per cent Muslim and 4.3 per cent «other». Serbian, Muslim
and Croatian paramilitary groups were reportedly active in this county.

Arkan's men were in Lukavica armed with sub-machine-guns and daggers. They beat
Muslim civilians and cut crosses in some of the Muslims' foreheads. The dates of these
incidents were not reported. *781
It was reported that the HOS, together with the Muslim Green Berets, conducted
operations in the Konjic villages of Donje Selo and Bradina. Both of these villages were
burned and the inhabitants sent to detention facilities. Donje Selo was attacked first and then
Bradina on 25 May 1992. Female prisoners were transferred to Konjic Sports Hall, where
some of the victims were raped. The men were taken to Celebici camp. On 13 July, the HOS
returned to Bradina, burned the town, and imprisoned all remaining inhabitants in an
elementary school. Many civilians allegedly died in the attacks. *782
(c) Muslim paramilitary activity
A report submitted by the United States alleges that the Muslim paramilitary group, the
Black Swans, committed most of the crimes against Bosnian Croats in the Konjic area.
According to reports, the Black Swans arrived in the Konjic area on 1 April 1993. They
reinforced Muslim troops under an identified commander and were primarily deployed at
the village of Handici, seven kilometres north-west of Konjic. In negotiations with the
HVO, Tulomovic denied that the Black Swans were under his control and blamed them for
the criminal activity in the area. *783
The Black Swan forces established at Handici are alleged to have attacked the Croatian
village of Celopeci in early April 1993. They reportedly burned three empty buildings,
killed two elderly women and one elderly man, cutting off his arms and slitting his throat
with a machete. Later, the Handici force was joined by Black Swans from Pokojiste, who
brought four or five Croatian civilians who were being used as human shields as they moved
through the village. Estimates put the attacking force at 70 men. It is also alleged that after
the action, Muslim forces prevented Spanish UNPROFOR troops from investigating the
activities at Celopeci. *784
The Black Swans, together with Mujahedin troops, allegedly launched infantry attacks
every four or five days on the village of Vrci and helped run the P.O.W. camp for HVO
soldiers at Parsovici. *785
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia reported that Alija's Army, the Yellow Ants, the
HOS, and the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) entered Konjic on 26 April 1992. They are
alleged to have established road blocks, set up machine-guns in nearby villages, and to have
killed civilians and looted villagers' homes. *786
According to the Serbian Council Information Centre, the Muslim paramilitary unit, the
Akrepi, killed 11 Serbs and burned 24 houses in the Konjic village of Blace on 15 May
1992. *787
Another report submitted to the Commission of Experts by the Croatian government
indicates that a Muslim paramilitary group, Hrasnica Forces, desecrated churches, looted
houses, and mistreated Croats in the villages of Celebici and Radesine. *788 This report also
alleged that the paramilitary forces of Hasan Hakalovic executed two elderly civilians in the
village of Mrkovice. *789
23. Kupres County *790
This county is located in west-central BiH. Its pre-war population was 9,663 of which 50.7 per
cent was Serbian, 39.6 per cent Croatian, 8.4 per cent Muslim, and 1.3 per cent «other». There is
one report of Serbian paramilitary activity in this county.
In April 1992, Seselj's White Eagles, along with the JNA under the command of an identified
officer, were allegedly responsible for the killing of about 200 men, women, and children. Machine-
guns, knives, and hammers were used in the killings. A young girl witnessed her family being
killed; she was then forced to strip and left to be raped by any of the soldiers who were so inclined.
*791
24. Livno County *792
Livno County is in the west of BiH bordering Croatia at the county of Sinj. In 1991, its
population was 39,526, of which 72 per cent was Croat, 15 per cent Muslim, 9.6 per cent Serb, and
3.4 per cent «other».
A rape victim testifies that she was held in a brothel in Livno and then Sarajevo by «Alija's
warriors». It is not clear from the report whether the group she is referring to is the same
paramilitary organization as Alija's Army or whether she is referring generically to the Army of
BiH as President Alija Izetbegovic's «warriors». *793 The dates of her custody are not specified.
25. Maglaj County *794
This county is located in south-central BiH and had a pre- war population of 43,294. This
population was 30.7 per cent Serbian, 19.3 per cent Croatian, 45.4 per cent Muslim and 4.6 per cent
described as «other». There was one report of Serbian paramilitary activity in this county.
A heavy attack on Maglaj was launched on 23 May 1993 by JNA forces, the Serbian Army,
Seselj's forces, and local «outlaws». One news report described the town as «literally burning». It
further stated: «over 2,000 shells have hit the town so far». Many casualties were reported and
poisonous gases were allegedly used. The Serb forces held more than 10 combat positions, from
which all types of artillery were fired. *795
26. Modrica County *796
Modrica is located in north-eastern BiH. According to the 1991 census, the population of the
county totaled 35,413 of which 35.3 per cent was Serbian, 27.3 per cent Croatian, 29.5 per cent
Muslim, and 7.9 per cent «other». There are three reports of Serbian paramilitary activity in
Modrica.
The Serbian population began to get restless in January 1992 when influential local Serb
leaders started making trips to Belgrade. *797
During early May of 1992, Serb soldiers entered the village of Modrica. Some were believed to
be from Seselj's units, for they had blackened faces and wore dark uniforms with an insignia of a
skull and eagle on the arms. *798 The White Eagles, Knindza Turtles, *799 and the SOS
paramilitaries *800 were also reported to have been in Modrica.
Allegedly, a group of Muslims, which had sought refuge in the cellar of a private home, were
ordered out; they were kicked, punched, and beaten with rifle butts. They were taken to another
cellar, where a total of 33 persons were eventually detained for 15 days. Some men were then taken
to the school in the centre of town, while others were held in the school sports hall. Local Serbs
stood guard while others interrogated the prisoners, including paramilitaries from the White Eagles
and Knindza Turtles. Around 18 May, the school was shelled and most of the detainees were moved
to a military barracks at Doboj, where approximately 300 Muslims and Croats were being held. In
early June, the Red Cross took away the women and children from the site, leaving only about 80
men. *801
27. Mostar County *802
Mostar is located in the south-central region of BiH. The total population in 1991 was 126,067
of which 19 per cent was Serbian, 33.8 per cent Croatian, 34.8 per cent Muslim, and 10 per cent
described as «others». There are reports of Serbian and Croatian paramilitary and Muslim
mercenary activity in Mostar.
The JNA entered the Mostar village of Rodoc on 4 April 1992, and destroyed the home
of a witness. According to this witness, all of the inhabitants of the village fled to the city of
Mostar, which was already at war. After 26 days, the witness returned to the village for
better shelter. After his return, the Yugoslav army blocked all access roads to, and controlled
all points around, the village. Several civilians were stranded in the village without water,
electricity, food or supplies. The witness reported that Serbs set fire to all the houses. *803
The witness claimed that in May 1992 he was arrested by «Cetniks» who said they were
under Arkan's command. According to his statement, the witness was taken to Mostar and
then to a military prison. He was interrogated and accused of possessing weapons. He and
nine others were beaten by guards and remained imprisoned for 81 days, during which they
experienced physical and psychological mistreatment.
On 6 April 1992, a combined force of JNA special forces and Seseljovci moved into the
village of Vrapcici, allegedly in response to the explosion of a fuel truck at the JNA barracks
in Mostar. The Bosnian and Croatian populations were encouraged to leave and most did.
*804
The Bosnians and Croatians in Potoci, three kilometres north of Vrapcici, erected
roadblocks and barriers to guard against a similar fate. They were successful until 18 May
1992. On 16 May, the forces in Vrapcici were reinforced with 10 tanks and 10 armoured
personnel carriers, at which point they began their attack on Potoci. They were assisted by
JNA air attacks. Upon capturing the village, the Serbian forces began rounding up able
bodied Muslim and Croatian males from both villages. These men were taken to a stadium
that had been converted into a detention facility. They were loaded onto trucks and taken to
Bileca, BiH, where they were exchanged. *805
On 12 June 1992, an additional 88 Muslim and Croatian residents of Vrapcici, including
elderly men and women, were rounded up. They were taken to the stadium and killed. Their
bodies were found in the landfill north of the village on 20 August 1992 after liberation by
Croatian Defence Council and BiH Territorial Defence Forces on 20 June. *806

Allegedly, sometime before 15 July 1993, the Croatian paramilitary group, Juka's
Army, evicted wealthy Muslim residents of Mostar from their apartments, which were
looted and turned over to members of HVO paramilitary forces for habitation. According to
reports, Juka's forces were masked and heavily armed when they surrounded the apartments,
which were located west of the city centre. They then proceeded to block exits, fire their
weapons in the air, and demand that all Muslim residents evacuate the building. *807
Another report states that the Croatian Tiger forces joined the HVO in Mostar on 1 June
1993. The Tigers allegedly brought with them additional weapons supplies, including 305
millimetre «Slavuj» guns and grenades manufactured at Slavonski Brod. *808
Mujahedin forces were observed in Mostar beginning in early June 1993. They were
stationed in the Santica neighbourhood on the Muslim\HVO front, where they manned
bunkers usually in groups of six or seven. They were reportedly armed with 7.62 millimetre
weapons, mortars, and Zolja anti-tank weapons. They were billeted in a building they shared
with the Muslim police on the east bank of the Neretva River. The Mujahedin forces are
reported to have left Mostar on 15 August. *809
28. Nevesinje County *810
Nevesinje County is in southern BiH. Its population in 1991 was 14,421, of which 74.5 per cent
was Serb, 23 per cent Muslim, and 2.5 per cent «other».
In early April of 1992, Seselj's forces were said to have been deployed around the Nevesinje
area to assist organized efforts at the border. *811
29. Novi Travnik County
Pucarevo County is in central BiH near Travnik. The HOS (Hrvatske Oruzane Snage) is
reported to have acted in this region. *812
30. Odzak County *813
Odzak is in northern BiH bordering Croatia at Slavonski Brod. Its pre-war population was
30,651, with 54.2 per cent Croat, 20.3 per cent Muslim, 19.8 per cent Serb, and 5.7 per cent
«other».
In February 1993, in the town of Novi Grad, between 700 and 1,000 troops, drawn
largely from Arkan's and Seselj's units, (but also including volunteers from Kordun and
Banija, as well as «Cetniks» from the Benkovac garrison), reportedly attempted to cut the
Smiljkes-Novi Grad communications line in an effort to take Novi Grad. The Serbs were
said to have been «crushed» and pushed back to their positions. UNPROFOR was asked by
the Croatian military to enter the area and alleviate tensions between the two sides. *814
There are reports of two Croatian forces operating in Odzak. One is the Croatian
Democratic Union (CDU) and the other is the Black Legion.
The CDU is said to be responsible for the shelling of Donja Dubica on 18 April 1992.
*815
The Black Legion is mentioned in association with a detention camp in Odzak run by
«Muslim and Croatian forces». A witness stated that members of the Black Legion arrived
on 16 July 1993 and asked prisoners for gold and money. The witness gave them money and
was released. *816
The Green Berets and the paramilitary arm of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA)
are reported to have acted in Odzak.
A Serbian man testified that he was picked up by three Green Berets from the streets of
Novi Grad in June 1992. They took him to a camp run by «Muslims», where he was
detained for almost 10 months. *817
The SDA acted together with members of the CDU in Odzak, raping, murdering,
looting, and detaining civilians. *818 Apparently, the SDA and CDU received military
supplies from abroad in Odzak, the majority of them being procured from Croatia. Reports
state that weapons dealers associated with these groups moved freely between Croatia and
BiH, buying and selling arms. *819
31. Pale County *820
Pale is located in south-east BiH. During early February 1992, Seselj's Cetniks reportedly shot
at every car driving through the city of Pale. *821
Reports also allege that Muslim and Croatian prisoners were being mistreated in the Pale
detention camps. The camps were set up at the local sports hall, the Cultural Centre and the cinema,
and were run by two identified men. During interrogations, prisoners were physically and mentally
tortured. In one case, a death sentence was executed in front of a prisoner. Pre-written confessions
were given to prisoners by members of the SIP. In all, over 20,000 persons were said to have passed
through the camps at Pale. 2,500 are currently there. Several men are responsible for the
investigation and interrogation of prisoners. At least one is alleged to be a member of Arkan's
formations.
Also, witness testimony from the BiH Bulletin claims that on 1 June 1992 over 1,000 Serbian
irregular forces, 150 soldiers from Rajlovac and Butile barracks, and 80 SDS extremists entered
Ahatovici and Dobrosevici and killed 20 Muslim men. The forces also wounded several others and
looted and set fire to Muslim homes. On 2 June, Serb extremists mined and destroyed the mosque at
Ahatovici. During these attacks, Serb irregulars, under the command of Joja Tintor, captured 400
women and children and 80 men. *822
32. Prijedor County *823
Prijedor is in the north-west of BiH. In 1991, its population was 112,470. Of that population, 44
per cent was Muslim, 42.5 per cent Serb, 5.7 per cent «Yugoslav», 5.6 per cent Croat, and 2.2 per
cent «other». There are reports of extensive Serbian paramilitary activity in this region.
Prijedor citizens have claimed that Arkan's paramilitary forces had set up headquarters in the
Hotel Prijedor when Serbian authorities assumed control of that city in a coup on 30 April 1992.
The SDS had established headquarters at that location and some believe that Arkan's forces were
situated there as well, but no witnesses have been able to confirm the allegation. However, one
witness said that White Eagles were roaming the streets of Prijedor, and that Croatian and Muslim
police officers were replaced by Serbs who wore a Serbian cross on their hats instead of the
Yugoslav red star. Local Prijedor leaders were arrested by the Serbs.
Prijedor was attacked on 30 May 1992 by Serb forces, and the city fell within 13 hours. A
mosque was burned, and many citizens were forced to leave their homes, arrested and bussed to
detention facilities. One woman who was taken from her home and detained for four days stated
that when she returned to her home, it had been robbed of all valuables. She was not mistreated
while at the detention facility, but she stated that others were frequently threatened. Another woman
related that she was taken to the Prijedor police station and placed in a cell sprayed with fresh
blood, along with several other civilians, before being shipped to Omarska camp. The involvement
of Seselj's forces in these activities is not clear from the report. *824
Also in May, a resident of Prijedor was summoned for interrogation by an identified
commander of a Cetnik brigade. Afterwards, he was taken to Ciglane camp in Prijedor. White
Eagles were implicated in the imprisonment and killings of prisoners at Ciglane camp. *825 Also
women were raped. Furthermore, the witness saw a group of White Eagles kill five people, and saw
«Cetniks» take 15 children from their mothers and throw them into ovens. Another man was also
detained at the camp and was forced to load dead bodies onto 13 trucks. He and 20 other prisoners
were then taken to Omarska, where he spent six to seven days. Afterwards, he was able to escape.
*826
A 27 December 1992 news report links Arkan's forces with a series of Serbian attacks on the
Muslim village of Kozarac in Prijedor county. The attack was prefaced with a demand by Prijedor's
rulers that the villagers sign a loyalty oath to the self-proclaimed Bosnian Serbian state, or be
regarded as terrorists. Serbs in control of Prijedor drove cars that had «Wolves of Vukovar» written
on them. Officers of the JNA were also reportedly involved. *827 The residents attempted to set up a
meager defence, but the town was sealed off on 14 May 1992.
On 24 May 1992, the villages of Kozarusa and Kozarac, in Prijedor county were surrounded by
a Serbian force, which included units of the Serbian Army, Bosnian Serb irregulars, White Eagles,
and Seselj's men. *828 The forces equipped with tanks and armoured personnel carriers, bombarded
the villages for approximately two hours with artillery and rocket fire before entering the village of
Kozarusa. *829 Upon entering the village, local Serbs began identifying Muslims who were then
shot in the street. *830 Muslim homes were set afire after Serbian forces tossed grenades into them.
Within hours, other Muslims were arrested and taken to the prison camp at the Keraterm factory.
*831
The attack on Kozarac lasted three days and caused many villagers to flee to the forest while
the soldiers were shooting at «every moving thing». Survivors calculated that at least 2,000
villagers were killed in that period. The villagers' defence fell on 26 May. *832 When the Serbian
forces entered the village, they began destroying the village's 14 mosques and nine minarets.
Serbs then reportedly announced that the villagers had 10 minutes to reach the town's soccer
stadium. However, many people were shot in their homes before given a chance to leave. One
witness reported that several thousand people tried to surrender by carrying white flags, but three
Serb tanks opened fire on them, killing many. Those who were successful in surrendering were
separated according to gender. During the exodus to the soccer stadium, some men were randomly
selected to be shot by a single Serb perched on a balcony. Upon their arrival at the stadium, the
women and men were separated and delivered to concentration camps. Many were beaten and killed
in the process. *833 One refugee estimated 90 per cent of the region's leaders were killed. *834
Another report noted that all 24,000 residents of Kozarac were evacuated and told to walk
towards Prijedor. En route, they were met by Serb police who separated the women from the men
and began setting houses on fire. Some villagers were killed on the spot. Three hundred soldiers
wearing the insignia of the «White Eagles of Knin», stood alongside the road or pulled certain
residents out of the group, and took them to a house where they were executed. *835 Those that
were not shot were separated by sex. *836 The men were taken to a detention camp in a school in
the nearby village of Trnjani, where they were held for four days without food or water. The men
were then transferred to the camp at Trnopolje, where the women and children had been held for
several days. A large number of the prisoners were allegedly killed at Trnopolje. *837
Major Arsic, the highest ranking member of the «Serbian Army» was said by some to have
planned the attack; others named Major Kuruzovic. *838 Zeljaje, commander of JNA reservists from
12 different municipalities, was also involved. Weapons were taken from the territorial defence
units and given to the Serbian army. *839 K.D., a former member of the Kozaran civilian defence
council, identified Major Arsic and Serbian JNA Commander Zeljaje as having played key roles in
the attack. He also observed Serb police setting houses on fire and killing certain people in the
convoy. A spokesman for the Bosnian Serbs' self-declared government also explained that the
government used Arkan's forces in its «ethnic cleansing» operations: «He is very expensive, but
also very efficient». *840
Forty men from Kozarac were selected for a prison work gang that was sent back into Kozarac
to retrieve dead bodies. One of these men counted 610 bodies in all. Kozarac homes were painted
with one of three colours for identification: yellow-marked homes were to be inhabited, blue-
marked homes were to be rebuilt, and red-marked homes were to be destroyed. *841
At the same time, the Red Berets are reported to have been acting in the area and could have
been working with or alongside Arkan's men and other Serbian forces. Apparently, the Red Berets
participated in the attack of Gornja Puharska, a village of about 300 Muslim families and six
Croatian families on 29 May. They entered the village in tanks with other non-uniformed Bosnian
Serb irregulars. *842 Following the attack, they took all male villagers south-east to the Omarska
detention camp, leaving the women and children behind. At Omarska, the Red Berets worked with
the JNA and local police to provide security and coordinate guard shifts. *843
On 23 June 1992, Bosnian Serb forces began shelling the village of Rizvanovici allegedly in
response to the killing of two Serbian soldiers by Muslim Freedom Fighters somewhere near
Prijedor. The village had a population of nearly 3,000, all of whom were Muslim with the exception
of one family. The shelling lasted approximately four hours and was followed by an attack by
Bosnian Serb infantry forces, consisting of the Fifth Banja Luka Corp, White Eagles, and
Seseljovci. *844
The town mosque was damaged, one resident was killed, and another injured during the attack.
After the attack, a small occupying force remained in the town. The residents were kept under house
arrest with limited movement. *845
On 9 July 1992, all Muslim males from the village of Matrici were rounded up in groups by
Arkanovci and White Eagles and marched to Trnopolje. Along the way, the Muslims were forced to
hold their hands behind their heads and to keep their heads hung low. There were also random
beatings and killings. After arriving at Trnopolje, the captives were loaded onto buses going to
Omarska. The detainees did not stay at Omarska but were instead moved to Keraterm. *846
In late July 1992, the same force that had attacked Rizvanovici conducted a sweep of the
village, rounding up residents and burning homes. Some residents were able to escape to the woods
outside the village and others were imprisoned in the cafe of a public building in the centre of the
village. *847
Also in July, a paramilitary unit called «Zoran Karlica» is reported to have been responsible for
killings, rapes, and other abuses in the village of Biscani. *848 A witness recognized and named
three men among the attackers. He also reports seeing one of the men beating a villager to death.
*849
After the attack on Biscani, the witness and other survivors were loaded onto buses and driven
towards Prijedor. At Crna Jaruga, half of the people from one of the buses were killed. One bus
drove to the Omarska camp and then on to Trnopolje camp because there was no room at Omarska.
Upon their arrival at Omarska, an identified paramilitary man took 13 people away. The witness
learned later that these people had been killed at Prijedorsko Polje. *850
Finally, there are reports describing the activities of two other irregular groups working in
Prijedor, for which there are no dates. They may or may not have been operating during the time
periods mentioned above. One group, the Rambos, is alleged to be extremely violent and sexually
aggressive. According to one witness, Rambo members carved the Cetnik insignia (four cyrillic S's)
into a victim's chest, cut the sinews in one individual's legs, and in the spine of another (so that the
victim was instantly paralysed). In another instance, they took five 13 year-old girls from a camp in
the area to a private home and returned them the following day, bearing obvious signs of abuse. A
resident physician managed to suture two of the girls, but the other had to be sent to the hospital in
the city of Prijedor. In still another instance, Rambo members chopped off the testicles and gouged
out the eyes of a Czechoslovakian medic. *851
The second group, the Radulovic Irregulars, are also reported to have worked in Prijedor. *852
A US Government report identified three men in the group, reportedly from Zecovi, who were
guards at the Serb-run Trnopolje camp. However, their names are not disclosed for confidentiality
and prosecutorial reasons. Some of them are claimed to have been involved in the looting and
burning of Zecovi on 23 June 1992. Another identified member, however, is not specifically named
as a participant in this attack. *853
33. Rogatica County *854
Rogatica County is in eastern BiH. Its population in 1991 was 21,812, of which 69.4 per cent
was Muslim and 39.6 per cent was Serb. There are numerous reports of Serbian paramilitary
activity in this county.
The village of Rogatica was shelled by Serb forces beginning on 22 May 1992. Between 25
May and 21 June, the town was shelled every day, with attacks concentrated on predominantly
Muslim areas. *855 All city services were discontinued and Muslims were forbidden to go outside or
leave the city. SDS, White Eagles, Arkan's men, and Seselj's men began looting and burning
Muslim houses and apartments. It is estimated that over 100 individuals (women, children, and the
elderly), were killed on 21 and 22 June. *856 The civilians were burned and run over with tanks and
troop carriers. *857 Muslims began being forced out of their homes and captured by Serb forces on 8
June. *858 Those who attempted to flee to the village of Vragolovo were fired upon. *859 A camp
was set up at the local high school where the women and children were taken, while most of the
men were taken to Sokolac and Sladara camps. One account approximated the number of women
and children detained at the school to be 300. *860 At the school, many women were taken away by
Serb soldiers and beaten and raped. *861 Around 5 August, the women and children were loaded
onto trucks and began a convoy to the Hresa section of Sarajevo. Detainees were forced to walk part
of the way as Serb soldiers fired upon them. *862
In July of 1992, Arkan's men began going door-to-door looking for weapons and valuables.
Arkan's men then began taking people to the elementary school. Female prisoners were removed
every night by armed guards carrying flashlights. They were usually kept out for two to three hours
at a time. The prisoners were moved to Sarajevo after seven days in the school. *863
Zepa, a small mountain village in Rogatica county usually populated by 5,000, surged to
30,000 persons due to a huge influx of refugees during late 1992. The BBC traveled with a U.N.
military convoy to bring food and other relief to the villagers during the winter months. The convoy
was stopped 12 kilometres outside Zepa by Serbian militia, one of whom was wearing the badge of
Arkan. The militiamen told the BBC reporter, «The people of Zepa need food, not journalists».
While it seemed that the convoy would be allowed through, the soldiers had actually directed the
convoy to the one road leading to Zepa that was impassable. More than 20 trees were splayed across
the road, and it seemed likely that the road may have been mined or booby- trapped. The U.N.
convoy was forced to turn back and attempt an alternative route on a different day. *864
During this time, there was also an incident in which the paramilitary forces, under the
command of an identified man, killed 49 prisoners during a fake prisoner exchange. *865
Apparently, Serb forces, under the command of another identified man, forced prisoners from
Visegrad onto a bus and headed north towards Rogatica. The Serb soldiers explained to the
prisoners that they were going to be exchanged at Han Pijesak, but once on the bus, they were tied
up and beaten. At some point during their trip, the bus was pulled off the road, the prisoners ordered
off, killed, and piled in a pit. *866 While the specific date of this incident is not noted, it was
reported in the BiH Bulletin of March 1993 and must have occurred shortly before then.
In April of 1993, Seselj called for the two Serb republics of BiH and Krajina to form a unitary
state and reject the Vance- Owen plan. Seselj pledged that his own party, the Serbian Radical Party,
would do everything it could to gain recognition of a new joint state. He requested that the Serbian
people «reject any signature that would mean the capitulation of the Serbian people to foreign
powers. The Serbian people have to maintain all that they have won in a hard and bloody struggle.»
*867
34. Sanski Most County *868
Sanski Most is located in north-west BiH. According to the 1991 census, its population was
60,119, of which 47 per cent was Muslim, 42.2 per cent Serb, 7.1 per cent Croat, and 3.7 per cent
«other».
There is one report of a Serbian paramilitary organization acting in this area called the Sixth
District or Sesta Krajiska. *869 Apparently, the Sixth District attacked Sanski Most on 9 May 1992
and occupied the police station and other municipal buildings. Seventeen days after their attack, the
Serbian Regular Army arrived in the city. The Sixth District is said to often work with the army by
conducting small-scale operations, like the attack at Sanski Most. *870
35. Sarajevo County *871

Sarajevo is in central BiH. In 1991, it had a population of 525,980, of which 49.3 per cent was
Muslim, 29.9 per cent Serb, 10.7 per cent «Yugoslav», 6.6 per cent Croat, and 3.5 per cent «other».
There are reports of Serbian, Croatian, and Muslim paramilitary activity in this region.
In March of 1992, Zagreb Radio Croatia reported that large columns of Arkan's and
Seselj's troops were seen organizing at the entrance to Sarajevo, at the Visegrad gate,
following the news that Muslim forces were in and around the Sarajevo area. Apparently,
Arkan's and Seselj's units were preparing to attack the town. *872
In April of 1992, a series of violent attacks was launched on the citizens of Sarajevo. On
5 April, the police school at Vrace was attacked, and the students of the police school were
beaten and mistreated. White Eagles later forcibly evicted many villagers from their homes
and took them to Vrbanja. «Cetniks» looted and set fire to the houses which earlier had been
vacated by residents. A 14 year-old boy's arm was allegedly sawed off by Serbs with a
handsaw. The boy was then taken away by the White Eagles. A report also stated that JNA
forces, under the command of an identified man, used their heavy artillery to attack Sarajevo
residents. *873
Armed SDS and White Eagles members allegedly raped a woman, slit the throat of a
man, and engaged in beating unarmed civilians. The specifics of these incidents, which took
place between June and December 1992, are not disclosed for confidentiality reasons. *874
In late April of 1992, the BiH Ministry of Internal Affairs linked the attacks on Sarajevo
with Seselj's units. One-hundred sixty-two of Seselj's men reportedly moved to the Sarajevo
district of Pale in early April, and more continued to go to Vrace. The identified commander
of the unit is said to be the leader of Seselj's Cetniks in Slavonia, Baranja and western
Srijem. The unit moved from Pale to Vrace on 14 and 15 April, during which time they
planned to launch an artillery attack on the garages of the city transportation company. The
reported goal was to massacre the population as revenge for the capture of two criminals and
Dragisa Kuljacic, a terrorist. This attack was abandoned when the prisoners were released.
*875
This same unit participated in the attack of the Novo Sarajevo area. In this instance, one
group of men were surrounded by those defending Sarajevo, and their leader was wounded.
Seselj then threatened to withdraw all of his units in BiH if his men were not released from
the siege on Grbavica. Serbian Democratic Party forces went in to rescue the men. Seselj's
units then withdrew back to Pale. *876 In response to the withdrawal, Arkan considered an
invitation by Biljana Plavsic, former member of the BiH Presidency, to bring his troops into
Sarajevo. *877
In Dobrinja, a suburb of Sarajevo, residents were confined to their homes in May and
June of 1992, during an eleven-week attack on that city by Serb militia forces. Residents
were told that they would be shot if they ventured outdoors. On 17 June, teams of Serb
gunmen forced Muslims from their homes. The vacated residences were looted, and the
ousted villagers were herded into a small basement room. Local Serb soldiers informed the
residents that paramilitary units from neighbouring Serbia were mobilizing the drive to take
Dobrinja, and that these units demanded that all Muslims be killed. One of the Serbs
identified these units as led by Arkan and Seselj. Two days later, the villagers were ordered
outside their holding room and were taken to a trench in a highway that lay between Serb
and Muslim forces. They were told to begin walking down the highway and were then
forced to evade sniper fire. Two women were killed. As the sniper fire escalated, the 40
villagers began running. A woman's arm was severed by gunfire. The villagers then dove
into a ditch on the side of the road and crawled a half a kilometre in the rain and mud, at
times over dead bodies. They were finally escorted to safety in territory controlled by BiH
Government forces. *878
Arkan's men also allegedly operated in the area of Grbavica. In late September 1992, at
least 500 Grbavica residents were seen fleeing their village amidst gunfire. Apparently, they
were crossing over the bridge leading to Sarajevo's city centre after Serb soldiers gave them
less than 15 minutes to leave their homes with all they could carry. The soldiers threatened
that they would kill the residents if they did not turn over all gold, jewelry, and foreign
currency. The Grbavica Muslims said that many of the soldiers wore black jumpsuits and
double-headed eagle badges, insignias which are said to be those of Arkan's forces. Others
related that before the mass evictions, people were subjected to midnight searches, denied
pension payments, and harassed on the street. Some Muslim men were taken to detention
camps or made part of working parties.
Another report implied that both Arkan and Seselj deployed forces in Grbavica. At least
130 residents had been evicted from their homes and were seen fleeing Serb forces in
Grbavica. A meeting at the commune building in Grbavica was reportedly held by the
Serbian Democratic Party and its military command in September of 1992. An agreement
was reached at the meeting, wherein all Muslims and Croats would be removed. To
accomplish this goal, forces of Arkan and Seselj were called in to help and to kill all
Muslims of military age. This plan was said to be the final offensive in «cleansing» this area
of Sarajevo. *879
Muslims were imprisoned, interrogated, tortured, and killed at the concentration camp
«Health Centre Stari Grad» in Ilidza, a section of Sarajevo. Arkan's Cetniks reportedly ran
the camp. *880
In July of 1992, the Sonja cafe and hotel, just outside Vogosca, served as the site for
scores of rapes and killings of Muslim women by Serb forces. The «commander» of this
detention facility was Commander Miro Vukovic, a loyalist of Seselj's forces. Vukovic
reportedly established a system for Serb fighters to rape and kill women. *881 Borislav
Herak, a Serbian soldier standing trial for 35 killings and 14 rapes, related that soldiers were
encouraged to go to the Sonja cafe to rape women and then take them elsewhere to be killed.
Herak also witnessed or participated in the killings of at least 220 other Muslim civilians.
Specifically, he watched as 120 civilians were gunned down by a Serbian unit called the
«special investigation group» in a field outside Vogosca. Herak was told by his commanders
that raping Muslim women was «good for raising the fighters morale». He and three friends
raped one woman and then shot her in the back of the head near a mountain bridge. He went
to the Sonja cafe once every three or four days, and reported that even though soldiers were
raping and killing women every day, more women were always arriving. He describes, «. . .
it was never a problem. You just picked up a key and went to a room.» *882 Vukovic
provided the soldiers with justifications for killing the women after raping them. *883
Vukovic once told Herak, «You can do with the women what you like. You can take them
away from here--we don't have enough food for them anyway--and don't bring them back.»
*884
Herak said he was ordered to go to the Sonja cafe by his commander, Captain Borov.
As he went to the cafe, he was met by Miodrag and Dragan, two members of Seselj's private
army. When Herak related that he had been sent by Borov, the two «Cetniks» ushered Herak
into a waiting room containing about 60 young women, from which Herak could select his
rape victim. *885
In August of 1992, the administrators of the Sonja cafe were asked to release all
women, children, and elderly in preparation for a visit by an English delegation to the site.
Consequently, 150 persons were released. «Cetniks» reportedly cleared the camp and
removed blood from the walls and floors. Three thousand civilians were said to have passed
through the camp at Vogosca, hundreds of them dying at the hands of Arkan's and Seselj's
men and other «Cetniks». *886
The hotel «Park» was also the location of at least two rapes by members of Seselj's
units. *887
There are reports of two separate Croatian groups acting in Sarajevo and the
surrounding region. These are the Croatian Armed Forces (HOS) and the forces under Jusuf
Prazina, alias «Juka» or «Yuka».
The Republic of Serbia reports that an HOS unit, together with an unnamed Muslim
paramilitary group, helped run the «Viktor Bubanj» detention facility in Sarajevo where
Serb civilians have allegedly been tortured, raped, and killed. *888 There are no dates noted
as to when the HOS was present at the camp.
The Croatian forces were also involved in criminal activity at the «Viktor Bubanj»
camp. *889 It was reported that the leader of this group was appointed head of the BiH Army
paramilitary units and became warden of the prison camp. For this reason, «Viktor Bubanj»
was also called «Juka's Prison». Over 200 prisoners were held there and were tortured and
forced to do heavy manual labour. «Juka» himself is accused of raping and killing prisoners
at this camp. *890
Alija's Army and the Green Berets are two Muslim paramilitary units reportedly acted
in the Sarajevo area.
A rape victim testified to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that she was held in a
brothel in Livno and then in Sarajevo by «Alija's warriors». It is not clear from the report
whether the group she refers to is the same paramilitary organization as Alija's Army, or
whether she is referring generically to the army of BiH as President Alija Izetbegovic's
«warriors». *891 Her testimony does not indicate any precise dates of custody.
The Green Berets also operated in Sarajevo. On 22 May 1992, a Serbian woman was
picked up by two Green Berets and taken to «Viktor Bubanj» in Sarajevo, where she was
questioned and raped repeatedly. *892 Another report alleges that the Green Berets were
responsible for the death of an unspecified number of Serb children at the Kosevo Stadium
near this time as well. Apparently, the members threw the children in the animal cages. Serb
soldiers could hear the children being killed from their surrounding positions in Kromolj and
Jezero. *893
36. Srebrenica County *894
Srebrenica is in eastern BiH bordering Serbia. As of 1991, it had a population of 37,211, of
which 74.8 per cent was Muslim and 25.2 per cent Serb.
In May 1992, Arkan's men allegedly removed machinery and equipment from local factories
and looted appliances from local stores in Srebrenica and loaded them into stolen cars and took
them to Belgrade. *895
Also in May 1992, the town of Rogatica was shelled, and other reported violations took place,
which are not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *896
37. Teslic County *897
Teslic County is in the central northern region of BiH. In 1991, it had a population of 59,632,
of which 55.1 per cent was Serb, 21.5 per cent Muslim, 16 per cent Croat, 5.7 per cent «Yugoslav»,
Arkan and his forces led the near-fatal attack on Kamenica in Teslic during early spring of
1992. The Muslim enclave finally collapsed after enduring 10 months of Serbian onslaughts. The
entire village was abandoned by its residents, and Serbs quickly moved to bomb the mosque and
loot and burn private homes. Mass graves were opened, which Serbs claimed to bury their own who
had died in combat.
A professor from Sarajevo University also reports that paramilitary units of the Armada Forces,
along with the Serbian militia and the Red Berets, were brought into Teslic to perform «ethnic
cleansing» operations there. *898 The report does not disclose any dates.
38. Tomislavgrad County *899
Tomislavgrad is a western county of BiH bordering Croatia at Imotski County. According to
the 1991 census, it had a population of 29,261. Of this population, 86.6 per cent was Croat, 10.8 per
cent Muslim, and 2.6 per cent «other».
Witness testimonies submitted by the Serbian Council Information Centre allege that members
of the Black Legion, a Croatian paramilitary force, took prisoners from Split and Kupres and held
them at Tomislavgrad. Women who were detained report that they were kept in cellars with no
toilets or beds. *900 The Croatian Armed Forces (HOS) are also reported to have participated in the
operation of a detention facility in Tomislavgrad. *901
39. Travnik County *902
Travnik is in central BiH. Its pre-war population was 70,402, with 45.3 per cent Muslim, 36.9
per cent Croat, 11 per cent Serb, and 6.8 per cent «other». There are reports of Croatian and Muslim
paramilitary activity in this county.
(a) Croatian paramilitary activity

UNPROFOR reports that a Croatian paramilitary formation called Medici was
responsible for attacks, kidnappings, bombings, and artillery firing on Muslim residents in
and around Travnik during the first weeks of April 1993. The HVO has claimed that the
Medici are not under its military control. *903
The US Government claims that Mecet's Bebe, or Mecetove Bebe, is a Muslim
paramilitary organization that carried out criminal activity, including theft and sabotage in
the Travnik area. *904 It does not specify any dates of their activity.
40. Tuzla County *905
Tuzla is in north-east BiH. Its population in 1991 was 131,861, of which 47.6 per cent was
Muslim, 16.6 per cent «Yugoslav», 15.6 per cent Croat, 15.5 per cent Serb, and 4.7 per cent
«other».
The chlorine-alkaline complex in Tuzla and Lukavac was bombarded with artillery by Seselj's
men and local «Cetniks» during June of 1992. The attack was backed by aircraft from the military
air force and an anti-aircraft defence provided by the JNA. *906
41. Veljina
According to an April 1992 report, the Pan-Yugoslav television network YUTEL, carried
videotape footage of the attack on Veljina. The report states that Veljina was «overrun» by Arkan
and his men, who were claiming to liberate it for the Serbs. Arkan told reporters that his forces were
in BiH to prevent Muslim fundamentalism from gaining a foothold in Europe. *907
42. Visegrad County *908
Visegrad is in eastern BiH. According to 1991 census figures, it had a population of 21,202,
with 62.8 per cent Muslim, 32.8 per cent Serb and 4.4 per cent «other». There are numerous reports
of Serbian paramilitary activity in this county.
In 9 April 1992, Zagreb Radio Croatia Network reported that all Muslims from Visegrad had
left in fear that Arkan was headed for the town. *909
Between 12 and 13 April 1992, residents of Visegrad were informed by their Serbian
neighbours that Seselj's and Arkan's units were coming into the area to perform a mass killing.
Some residents left, and their houses were ransacked and riddled with bullets. Fourteen houses were
burned down, leaving only five undamaged. *910
On 13 April 1992, the city of Visegrad was occupied by the Uzice Corps. This group consisted
of JNA soldiers, reservists, Uzice territorial defence forces, and White Eagles. They brought a large
amount of JNA heavy equipment with them. The JNA forces wore their traditional uniforms, while
the White Eagles wore identifiable outfits, combining military and civilian clothes. Some wore hats
with the kokada emblem. Upon the corps' siege, the civilian population fled the city and was fired
upon. The corps then broadcast a message instructing the residents to return to Visegrad and
assuring their safety. When they returned, the village was in shambles, with many homes burned.
*911 The JNA then blocked all roads leading out of Visegrad with help from the White Eagles and
Uzice Corps. Soldiers at the roadblocks would take away Muslims, whose names appeared on a
master list. *912 Between 18 and 25 May, the Uzice Corps left Visegrad, leaving it to fall under the
control of the White Eagles, Cetnik gangs and Seselj's forces. *913
After the retreat of the Uzice Corps, the killing and torturing of Muslims began. Residents
could not leave the city without permission. Many Serbs were seen throwing bound Muslims into
the river to drown them. In early June, many girls were taken to the hotel Vilina Vlas, interrogated,
and raped. *914 Some of the females were not returned.
On 13 April 1992, Momir Savic's Cetniks set fire to the villages of Repusevici, Jarci, Brezje,
Sip, Bodeznik, Blaz, and Moremeslje. *915 They harassed and arrested Muslims, defaced a mosque,
destroyed Muslim property, and stole humanitarian aid. Witness testimony submitted by the
Republic of BiH identified one of the men who organized «ethnic cleansing» in the Visegrad
region. Apparently, once the Uzice Corps left on 18 June 1992, the criminal activity of Momir
Savic's Cetniks grew markedly worse. *916
Then in July, civilians were evicted and convoys left the city. *917 Some of the men on the
convoy were killed and thrown into the River Drina before they arrived in Olovo. The women were
taken to Olovo, then to Visoko, then to Zenica. *918
According to a witness, the Popovic Group led by Srpko Popovic was also involved in criminal
activity in the Visegrad area during this time. *919 On 18 June 1992, the Popovic Group is claimed
to have killed 22 Muslims in Visegrad under the direction of Milan Lukic. *920 The Popovic Group
is also alleged to have killed Muslims at the Visegrad Electric Plant and then to have thrown the
corpses in the Drina River. In addition, Popovic members allegedly burned 60 civilians detained in
a house and drowned others by tying them up and throwing them into the river. They are also said
to have regularly looted Muslim homes. In addition, Srpko Popovic, himself, is claimed to have
killed 17 civilians in one day.
The Visegrad Militia was also active in the area. A witness from the village of Koritnik near
Visegrad stated that he narrowly escaped when the house he was being detained in was set afire by
Visegrad Militia guards in June 1993. *921 The witness stated that in June 1993, an identified man,
whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons, came to Koritnik and told
the Muslims that they would be evicted. The next day, members of the Visegrad militia came to the
village and loaded 51 civilians onto buses headed towards Visegrad. At a Serbian checkpoint on a
bridge outside Visegrad, the civilians were searched and forced to give up their money and jewelry.
The prisoners were then transferred to a house where the women were kept separately for supposed
«interrogations».
The witness goes on to describe that there were already five prisoners in the house when they
arrived. At 10:30 p.m., one of the Visegrad Militia guards threw a torch into the house and fired a
machine-gun into the various rooms where he and others were held. The witness escaped through a
window and ran. In the field behind the house, he was again fired upon. He does not expect that
anyone else survived.
On 18 June 1992, the paramilitary forces under Milan Lukic killed 22 Muslims on the new
bridge in Visegrad. *922 The Lukic forces are said to have killed Muslim civilians in a variety of
ways: children were dropped from the bridge and then shot before they hit the water: others were
killed by pulling their kidneys out while they were still alive; and still others were tied to car
bumpers and dragged across the bridge and through the streets of Visegrad. The report links the
actions of Lukic's forces with those of the Popovic Group. *923
On 22 October 1992, Milan Lukic and his men allegedly abducted 16 Sandzak Muslims from
the village of Sjeverin. *924 According to Amnesty International, eight armed and masked men
boarded the bus that the Muslims were travelling on as it entered BiH at the Visegrad municipality.
The men, identified as Milan Lukic's, then ordered the passengers off the bus and onto an army
truck. The truck, which had no license plates, headed towards the town of Visegrad. At this time,
the passengers were told that they would be exchanged for Serbs who were captured the previous
night. According to the Belgrade newspaper Borba, which cites military sources in Serbia, these
Muslim hostages were killed near Visegrad that same day. *925
On 19 February 1993, Lukic's forces reportedly performed a similar operation, this time at the
Strpci train station. *926 Witnesses state that 19 Muslim passengers on a train at Strpci were
abducted by Lukic's forces, led onto a military truck, and driven away. The present whereabouts of
these Muslims are not reported.
Finally, these reports indicate that Lukic was briefly detained on 26 October 1992 and again in
February 1993 for the kidnapping of the Muslims from the bus and from the train. *927
Furthermore, according to the Amnesty International report, the leaders of the «Serb Republic of
BiH» deny the existence of paramilitary forces in Visegrad and refer to Lukic's forces as
«volunteers» fighting under the command of the Visegrad Brigade. However, according to Borba,
Lukic's forces are not under the direction of the army nor the local Visegrad authorities. *928
Finally, it is reported that the paramilitary forces under the command of Rajko Kusic were also
involved in the kidnapping and killing of Muslims in Visegrad. *929 It is not clear whether their
actions are linked to those of the Lukic forces. In this case, a witness claims that Kusic forces under
the direction of an identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial
reasons, forced 49 Muslim prisoners from Visegrad onto a bus. The paramilitaries told the prisoners
that they were going to be exchanged in Han Pijesak. Yet, once on the bus, the prisoners were tied
up and beaten. The bus pulled off the road somewhere between Visegrad and Rogatica, and the
prisoners were ordered off. Then, they were killed and piled into a pit. *930
A Serbian irregular force called Commander Turtle's units is said to have worked in portions of
eastern BiH, including Visegrad. *931 This group was led by a Bosnian Serb doctor named Dusko
Kornjaca and operated sometime after September 1992. *932
Other testimony indicates that the Serbian forces under Risto Perisic, the president of the
Serbian community, were active in Visegrad. Perisic is alleged to be one of the organizers of
«ethnic cleansing» in the region. *933
43. Vitez County *934
Vitez is in central BiH. The pre-war population was 27,728. Of that population, 45.7 per cent
was Croat, 41.4 per cent Muslim, 7.5 per cent «other», and 5.4 per cent Serb. There are reports of
both Croatian and Muslim paramilitary activity in this region.
According to UNPROFOR personnel, the Croatian Knights paramilitary group set up a
checkpoint approximately three kilometres north-west of Vitez, where they detained a
convoy of trucks for several days. Although the convoy was eventually returned, the action
was apparently one of many designed to agitate the Muslim population in the region. *935
HVO officials have stated that the Knights were an independent group that did not follow
official military command.
The Muslim Armed Forces(MOS) are alleged to have looted and burned homes and to
have threatened Croatian civilians in the Vitez municipality. Specifically, witnesses report
MOS activity in Cajdras, Vjetrenica Mountain, and Busovaca. Many civilians are said to
have been killed in the area; their bodies have most often been found burned with their
homes. *936 It is also reported that the MOS acted as local police and arrested HVO
personnel earlier released by the Army of BiH. *937
44. Vogosca County
Vogosca is a small county in central BiH just west of Sarajevo. There are reports that the
Serbian paramilitary units under the command of Dragan Ikanovic operated there.
A witness who was held for several weeks at the army barracks in Rajlovac reports that
Ikanovic and his men were responsible for the deaths of approximately 50 Muslim prisoners. He
claims that Ikanovic and his men loaded prisoners onto a bus and drove them from Vogosca
towards a village called Srednje. At one point in the journey, the passengers were told that the bus
had overheated and needed water. The guards on the bus then got off. Immediately afterward, the
bus was fired upon by Serbian forces using rocket launchers, bazookas, machine-guns, and hand
grenades. *938
The BiH Bulletin also reports details of this incident. *939 It states that Serb forces took 55
Muslim prisoners, some of whom were from Dobrosevici, Bojnik, and Mihaljevici, on a red bus to a
supposed prisoner exchange. Then an identified man was said to take the prisoners. The report does
not indicate whether other forces under Joja Tintor were involved. Later, the bus was fired upon as
described above. Forty-seven prisoners were killed. *940
45. Zenica County *941
Zenica County is in central BiH. In 1991, it had a population of 145,577, of which 55.2 per cent
was Muslim, 15.6 per cent Croat, 15.5 per cent Serb, 10.9 per cent «Yugoslav», and 2.9 per cent
«other». Croatian and Muslim paramilitary activity has been reported in this area.
The Croatian Armed Forces (HOS) is an organization of Croatian and Muslim forces
that have acted in the Zenica region. It is estimated that of the 1,500 troops in Zenica, there
are at least 800 Muslim members. *942
The Zenica Hoodlums (or Green League), the Muslim Armed Forces (MOS), and the
Patriotic League have all been named in connection with the attack on Zenica on 25 April
1992. *943
46. Zvornik County *944

Zvornik is located in eastern BiH on the Serbian border. It had a pre-war population of 81,111.
Of that population, 59.4 per cent was Muslim, 38 per cent Serb, and 2.6 per cent «other». Here,
there are reports of Serbian and Muslim paramilitary activity.
In late March, Seseljovci units arrived in the area and informed the Muslim residents
that they had 10 days in which to turn in their weapons. *945 At a party held in April at the
Tezeko Hotel in Zvornik, Seselj read the names of local Muslim intellectuals from a list to
an audience partly comprised of members of Arkanovci, Seseljovci, and White Eagles. The
people on this list were to be killed. *946
On 7 April 1992, the predominantly Muslim village of Grbavci was surrounded on three
sides by the Serbian paramilitary units of Seselj, Arkan and the White Eagles. They took
over the village's important buildings and announced that all Muslims were to turn in their
weapons. They had a list prepared by local Serbs of the names of all the Muslims in the
village who owned weapons. Those on the list who did not turn in a weapon were taken
away and not seen again. Shortly after they were removed, gunshots were heard in the forest
outside the village. *947
Zvornik was attacked on 8 April 1992. Arkan's troops reportedly led the attack. *948
They were aided by JNA forces, Seselj's, and Arkan's men. Identified perpetrators included
regular JNA troops, paramilitaries, and special police, *949 but names are not disclosed for
confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. The attack began with artillery fire that continued
without interruption from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. *950
Zvornik was shelled from all sides, but especially from a hill 12 kilometres away. *951
On 9 April 1992, Zagreb Radio Croatian Network reported that Serbian forces had entered
the centre of Zvornik and that fighting had dimished. *952 Likewise, Sarajevo Radio
reported that Serbian troops had captured the town at about midday on 9 April. *953
Fighting, however, reportedly continued in the suburbs, which were under heavy mortar fire.
A school, a timber processing plant, a secondary school centre, and many multi-story
buildings in the centre of Zvornik were hit. Hospital staff reported 10 people wounded and
one killed at the time of the broadcast on 9 April. A transmitter allegedly was damaged so
that citizens of Zvornik could not receive information other than one channel of Belgrade
television. *954
General Milutin Kukanjac, the Yugoslav Army's local commander, reportedly said in a
Sarajevo radio interview that an army unit in the Zvornik area would intervene only if the
town's civil defence forces surrendered their weapons. *955 Zvornik's Muslim fighting force,
poorly armed and coordinated, held the city for five days before retreating to a castle near
Kula Grad. They conducted night attacks from the castle but had to withdraw due to lack of
ammunition. Some of these forces were later arrested and imprisoned. *956
During the attack on Zvornik, approximately 200 houses were burned and 76 Muslims
were killed. Young males were told that they either had to join the Serbian forces, leave, or
be shot. The old men, women, and children were allowed to stay. Many of the males that left
reported seeing JNA tanks on the Serbian side of the Drina. *957
In the Kula section of Zvornik, no advanced warning was given to turn in weapons. The
men were gathered in the basement of the hospital, where the younger ones were beaten in a
Serbian attempt to find out information on the defending forces. Those that refused to give
information were taken away and not seen again. After a few days, the others were allowed
to return to their homes. *958
Serbian forces positioned across the Drina in Serbia began shelling the Muslim village
of Divic, two kilometres north of Zvornik. The village was then occupied by Serbian forces,
who forced the residents to turn in their weapons. The residents were subjected to regular
beatings by the occupying forces, but the village was relatively calm. *959
People reportedly were imprisoned, first the intellectuals, and then others as well.
Various registrations were ordered, and if they were not obeyed, all property would be taken
away. Many people who had left the town earlier came back for this reason. Many of them
were then taken to concentration camps, tortured, and killed. Certain villagers were forced to
sign statements that they «voluntarily renounce» all of their property. *960 At least two
prison camps were established in the Zvornik suburb of Karakaj: one at the Standard Shoe
Factory, holding 35 prisoners, and another at the Ekonomija, holding 600 prisoners. The
prisoners at Ekonomija were reportedly beaten on a regular basis by the Seseljovci. *961
A series of killings reportedly followed the fall of Zvornik. *962 A number of them of
have been attributed to Arkan's soldiers: *963 Arkan's men allegedly stopped at each house
checking the identification of residents. *964 According to a Sarajevo radio report, on 9
April elders of the Islamic community of BiH accused Arkan's units of committing crimes
against the Muslims in Zvornik. The elders claimed that Muslims were subjected to «a
pogrom» because of their religion. The elders' statement disclosed that there were many
Muslims killed, and a great number wounded. The elders appealed to legal entities of BiH,
to members of the public, and to the United Nations and international humanitarian
organizations for protection. *965 Another Sarajevo radio report on the same day stated that
Arkan's units were perpetrating a «massacre» of the Muslim population of Zvornik. The
report said that six people had died that day and 15 people were injured as a result of
grenades and bombs launched from 120 millimetre calibre mortars. *966
A Serbian woman told US Embassy officers in Budapest that several Yugoslav army
tanks, led by Arkan, had come to Zvornik on 10 April. About 30 masked irregulars
belonging to a unit under Arkan conducted a house-to-house search for Bosnian Muslim
men by checking identity cards. The Serbs then allegedly cut off the heads, hands, and feet
of their victims. *967
According to the witness who made a statement to Amnesty International, Serbian
paramilitaries, who described themselves as Arkan's men, strangled six people. At about
3:00 p.m. on 10 April, a group of about 30 men arrived at the outskirts of Zvornik and
rounded up residents. They were taken out into the orchard and forced to lie down. There
were 15 captives in total, nine women and six men. The men were killed, and the women
were locked in the cellar of a house. After three days, people from a nearby village
discovered the women. About 10 days later, the survivors were driven from the site at
gunpoint and made to cross into Mali Zvornik in Serbia, from where they made their way to
Hungary. *968
An unidentified witness states that Arkan's soldiers visited Hasim Hadziavdic's home.
The witness maintains that the soldiers interrogated Hadziavdic and his 74 year-old
neighbour about where Muslim money and guns were hidden. When the men could not or
did not answer, a soldier reportedly slit Hadziavdic's throat. The neighbour fainted, and the
soldier stepped on his chest and slit his throat as well. Then, the soldiers went to the next
home, that of Sehic Hakija, and demanded the same information from him and his son. The
soldiers slit the throats of Hakija and his son. It is alleged that 46 people were killed by
Arkan's men in one hour on this day. *969
The Zvornik hospital was overrun by Serb forces during the occupation. Arkan's men
stored weapons and set up headquarters there. All those at the hospital were taken hostage
until the body of «Rambo», Arkan's second in command, was returned. Around 20 April,
White Eagle members arrived at the hospital, harassed hostages, threatened to kill the
Muslims, shot from windows, and made people stand or squat in line. *970
In mid-April 1992, Serbian forces began digging pits with a bulldozer in the Muslim
cemeteries south-west of Zvornik. Trucks were seen there three times a day dumping bodies.
Trucks loaded with bodies were also seen frequently in Mali Zvornik at the stone quarry
near the Hotel Drina. *971 Citizens hidden in «Little Zvornik» allegedly saw the digging of
mass graves at the northern entrance of the town called Kazambasca.
On 11 April 1992, a news report stated that UN refugee workers had reported a day
earlier that 10,000 Muslim women and children had been found huddled in a single village
without food or shelter. Alija Izetbegovic, the Muslim President of BiH, appealed to the
international community for help after claiming that Serbian guerrillas had threatened to kill
3,000 civilians trapped near Zvornik. According to the news article, a UN refugee official
had reported seeing heavily armed Serbian guerrillas clearing dead bodies from the streets.
A shortage of bus drivers and concern about «armed gangs» controlling the region prevented
Red Cross aid workers from approaching the area at that time. *972 Relief workers said that
Arkan's forces controlled Zvornik's centre, while Yugoslav army forces were stationed
around the area. *973
On 14 April 1992, Sarajevo Radio reported that members of Arkan's units were looting
empty houses and apartments in Zvornik and taking the goods away on trucks. Those who
had left the village and returned to recover their property were taken to camps, tortured, and
killed. Others were forced to sign statements wherein they surrendered all of their property.
*974 Dead bodies were lying in the streets, private houses, and apartment buildings. Shops
had been closed for eight days, and the town lacked basic foodstuffs and medicine. The
report carried an appeal on behalf of citizens remaining in Zvornik for EC observers and
food. The report said that more than 10,000 refugees wanted to leave for a safe place but
were unable to do so. *975
Arkan reportedly appeared on Serbian state-controlled television, discussing his

«exploits» in Zvornik, saying that he had «liberated» the area. *976 Apparently, Arkan had
most recently said on television that he would go on vacation with his family. *977 Another
news report said that international human rights organizations had accused the Serbian
Volunteer Guard under Arkan of atrocities against civilians in Croatia before the cease-fire,
whose observance was marked by Arkan's vacation.
Civilians continued to be assailed in May. Muslims were taken to facilities around
Zvornik, where they were detained and beaten severely by Serbs. Shooting began in Zvornik
on 18 May, causing most Muslims to flee to other villages or the woods at the edge of the
village. Some of those in the woods returned to the village, following Serb instructions. The
men who returned were shot in front of their families. *978
On 17 May 1992, Seseljovci entered Divic in Zvornik County and began to loot and
pillage Muslim property for nine days. *979 On 26 May 1992, the residents of Divic were
loaded onto buses supposedly headed to Olovo. Instead the buses went to Tuzla and on to
Zvornik. In Zvornik, they were housed for 36 hours on the second floor of an office
building, where they were given regular meals and water. *980
On 29 May 1992, the 174 male residents from Divic were moved to a movie theatre in a
cultural centre in Celopek, seven kilometres north of Zvornik. The prisoners were threatened
with death unless they could come up with 2,000 DM per person, which they did.
Nevertheless, the prisoners were still beaten, tortured, sexually abused, and killed. *981
In May 1992, Serbian forces moved into the Zvornik village of Djulici, killing 60
residents. *982
Also in May, local Serbs, including a policeman, attacked Kostjerevo village. Their
names are not disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. Apparently, the entire
population of the village was taken away to Drinjaca where 35 men were beaten and killed
in a hall. A dozen teenage boys were taken prisoner and led in the direction of Zvornik.
Women were raped and tortured. According to the witness, on 31 May, about 150 women
and children were taken in two buses in the direction of Tuzla. *983
In June and July, the number of detentions increased and the beatings continued. Both
the Bosnian Serb police and Seselj's men were responsible. *984 A former prisoner related
that on 4 June, the detainees were moved to a neighbouring house with another 120
Muslims, and kept there six weeks, during which time they were repeatedly beaten. Men
from Seselj's unit carved crosses into the heads of 10 Muslim prisoners. Bosnian Serb police
tightened wires around other prisoners' necks. On 15 July, the prisoners were taken to a
detention camp in Batkovic, where they were beaten regularly with sticks. The witness was
finally released as part of a prisoner exchange. *985
On 26 June 1992, Muslim men, women, and children were rounded up by what were
believed to be Seselj's men, as well as White Eagles. They were taken to the centre of town
where they were put onto trucks that took them to Loznica. In Loznica, they boarded a train
that took them to Subotica. After spending several days on the train in Subotica, the
Muslims were moved to a campsite at Palic, where they were issued Yugoslav passports
stamped by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Then they were taken in groups to the
Hungarian border and accepted as refugees. *986
Charles Lane wrote in The New Republic in July 1992 that he, along with about eight
carloads of Sarajevo-bound journalists, passed through Zvornik. He wrote that Zvornik had
been the scene of numerous alleged atrocities against Muslims and perpetrated by
paramilitary Serbian bands such as those of Arkan. Lane wrote that Arkan's name was
daubed in black paint on the walls of burned-out homes and businesses in the town. He and
the other journalists arrived shortly after midday. The Serb gunmen manning the local
checkpoint «were drunk, mad, and in a mood to poke us with their automatic weapons». A
policeman intervened, informing the journalists that «a battle» was going on up ahead which
made the way dangerous. The journalists waited as a Serb paramilitary officer dressed in a
camouflage tunic and riding breeches drove up in a Mercedes and waved an AK-47 at them.
Reportedly the paramilitary officer said in «precise English», «If you take a single picture
between here and Sarajevo, I will personally kill you».
Within moments, three buses passed through the checkpoint. Each bus contained
Muslim men, their heads bowed and touching the seats in front of them, and their hands
behind their necks. Lane caught a glimpse of one man's «fearful» eyes through the window.
*987
According to a US Government report, Radoja Nikolic allegedly led Serbian

paramilitary groups in Grbavci near Zvornik and an identified man, whose name is not
disclosed for confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons, served as chief of the Serbian Guard
in Karakaj. *988
Quoting Tanjug, the Democratic League of Kosevo reports that in the second week of
October 1992, a unit of Muslim fighters called the Mosque Doves attacked the villages of
Pantici and Milosevici which are about 20 kilometres from Zvornik. *989 There are only
approximations of the number of people killed since Tanjug was inconsistent in its reports
on these attacks. On 12 October, it reported that 50 villagers, mainly the elderly, were killed.
Then, the next day, they reported that 13 civilians and 23 members of the Serb forces were
killed. The Mosque Doves were said to use «rifles from Hungary and Arabic countries» and
included Muslims and some Croatians from the Zvornik area. *990
B. Croatia
1. Beli Manastir County *991
This county is located in north-eastern Croatia, bordered by Serbia to the east. According to the
1991 census, Beli Manastir had a population of 54,160, of which 25.5 per cent was Serbian, 41.7
per cent Croatian, 16.5 per cent Hungarian, 7.9 per cent «Yugoslavs», and 8.4 per cent «other».
In August of 1991, 260 Croat citizens of the Baranja area were killed by local Serbs and
Seselj's soldiers. Marko Kvesic, representative of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the
Beli Manastir District, stated that the Croatians of Baranja were ordered to leave their homes, and
that those who refused to do so were shot. Explosions were set off, property was taken, and people
were beaten. Those fleeing the village into Hungary were seen with broken limbs and disfigured
faces. *992
Furthermore, the Serbian parmilitary group, Martic's Militia, led by Milan Martic, was alleged
to have been conducting paramilitary operations in Beli Manastir and to have organized camps and
prisons in the county. In these camps, captured civilians and members of the Croatian Army were
severely mistreated and/or killed. *993
2. Benkovac County *994
Benkovac County is located in west-central Croatia. The pre- war population was 33,079. The
ethnic breakdown of the population was 57.4 per cent Serbian, 40.6 per cent Croatian, and 2 per
cent «other».
On 21 December 1991, a paramilitary group under the leadership of Bogdan Gagic allegedly
killed nine Croatians and one Serbian in the village of Bruska in Benkovac. Other inhabitants were
reported to have been tortured or evicted. Although the report indicates that Gagic's group had 31
members it does not identify them nor does it provide any information as to the ethnicity of its
members. *995
In February 1993, the town of Benkovac in Benkovac County was reported to be under the
complete control of Arkan. No details as to how this was accomplished were reported. *996
3. Daruvar County *997
This county is located in north-central Croatia with a pre- war population of 29,978. Of this
population 33.2 per cent was Serbian, 34.3 per cent Croatian, 27 per cent «other», and 5.5 per cent
described as «Yugoslav».
allegedly formed the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade for the area of Daruvar, Grubisno Polje, Pakrac,
Virovitica, Podravska Slatina and Slavonska Pozega. One formation of the brigade was the Unit of
Daruvar, headquartered in Bijela. They also formed the Police of SAO Krajina and West Slavonia.
*998
The Unit of Daruvar and members of their police units allegedly participated in a number of
attacks and incidents, often in concert with the JNA and other «Cetnik» forces. On 19 and 20 June
1991, five policemen were killed and five wounded during two separate attacks by members of the
Unit of Daruvar. On 21 August 1991, the Unit of Daruvar began shelling Daruvar. The report
indicated that the shelling of various villages within this county continued through 12 November
1991. *999
4. Dvor County
Dvor County is located in south-central Croatia with BiH at its southern border. According to
the 1991 census, the population was 14,636, of which 85.6 per cent was Serbian, 9.5 per cent
Croatian, and 4.9 per cent «other».
According to the Croatian Information Centre, a Serbian paramilitary group from Dvor na Uni,
attacked two nearby villages, Kozibrod and Struga on 26 July 1991. The attack began at 10:30 a.m.
and lasted until 9:00 p.m. that night. Allegedly, the attackers used civilians from the two villages as
shields as they advanced on the Croat police station at Kozibrod. Once in control of the police
facilities, the paramilitaries killed seven civilians and eight policemen. The report also lists eight
civilians as seriously wounded by gunfire. *1000
5. Glina County *1001
This county is located in central Croatia, with Zagreb to the north and BiH to the south. The
pre-war population was 22,997, of which 60.5 per cent were Serbian, 35 per cent Croatian, and 4.5
per cent «other».
Martic's Militia allegedly organized camps and prisons in Glina. In these camps, captured
civilians and members of the Croatian Army were allegedly severely mistreated and killed. *1002
According to a report from the Republic of Croatia, 22 Croatians, mostly elderly, were killed in
the Glina village of Glinska Josevica on 16 December 1993 by a special Serbian Territorial Defence
unit, the Visors, led by an identified man, whose name is not disclosed for confidentiality and
prosecutorial reasons. Victims were killed in their homes with small-bore, silencer-equipped guns.
The Croatian report claims that the attack was initiated by Serbian authorities in Glina to revenge
the death of 19 members of Territorial Defence units killed in battle with the Croatian Army. *1003
6. Gracac County
Gracac County is located in the central coastal area of Croatia. According to the 1991 census,
its population was 11,060. The ethnic make up of this population was 82.3 per cent Serbian and
17.7 per cent Croatian.
On 20 July 1991, about 10 members of the Serbian group the Velebit Unit allegedly carried out
a mortar attack on Lovinac, killing one local woman. According to the report of the Republic of
Croatia, they attacked the village again on 5 August 1991. One civilian was killed, and one reserve
policeman and another civilian wounded. The perpetrators also caused significant property damage.
On that same day, the members of the Velebit Unit took five villagers from their homes and killed
them about 2 kilometres form Lovinac in the direction of Raduca. *1004
7. Grubisno Polje County *1005
This county is located in the central region of northern Croatia. Its pre-war population was
14,186, of which 32.1 per cent was Serbian, 42.3 per cent Croatian, 4.5 per cent «Yugoslav», and
21.1 per cent «other». There are reports of both Serbian and Croatian paramilitary activity in this
county.
In June 1991, the JNA and the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) for Slavonia and
Baranja formed the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade for the area of Grubisno Polje, Daruvar,
Pakrac, Virovitica, Podravska Slatina, and Slavonska Pozega. The Bilogora Unit was formed
as part of this brigade and allegedly took part in several attacks, in concert with the JNA
throughout August, September, and October 1991. These attacks resulted in several
casualties and mistreatment of the non-Serbian population. *1006
According to witness testimonies reported by the Serbian Council Information Centre,
the Croatian paramilitary group, the Black Shirts from Virovitica, arrived in Grubisno Polje
on 13 August 1991, and proceeded to arrest and kill civilians, destroy property, and steal the
villagers' money. *1007
The Black Shirts allegedly began their activities in the area by blocking roads, setting
up check-points, and taking over police duties. They arrested, according to a previously
compiled list, 124 people and held them in the Grubisno Polje Hotel. Twenty well-respected
men in the community, who were on the previously mentioned list, were later found dead.
The Black Shirts are reportedly led by an identified man, whose name is not disclosed for
confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. *1008
8. Knin County *1009
Knin County is located in the central, southern region of Croatia with BiH on its eastern border.
According to the 1991 census, its population was 42,337, with 88.6 per cent Serb, 8.6 per cent Croat
In January of 1993, Petar Pasic, Commissioner of the Croatian Government for the Knin
municipality, requested that UNPROFOR do everything possible to protect the Croats who had
chosen to remain in Knin, 800 of them in all. Refugees had been pouring into Knin from Benkovac
and Obrovac, and Pasic described that because local troops had organized under the command of
«Captain Dragan» and Cetnik formations and units of Arkan and Seselj had arrived in the region,
life was rendered «unbearable and impossible». The report notes that refugees were forcibly moved
into Croatian homes, and that Croatians were being taken to concentration camps and killed. *1010
Serbian paramilitary forces led by Milan Martic are also alleged to have operated in and around
Knin. Milan Martic is Minister of the Interior for the Republic of Serbian Krajina and, according to
reports, he trained forces called the Marticevci for operations in Croatia and gave commands from
offices stationed in Knin.
9. Krajina
A cease-fire between Croat and Serb forces broke down during the third week of January 1993,
when Croat troops launched an offensive in and around Krajina. This act, along with reports of
Croat soldiers committing atrocities upon Serbian civilians, prompted hundreds of Serbians to
volunteer their services in the fight against the Croats. *1011 In addition to the independent Serb
volunteers traveling to the front lines, militiamen belonging to Seselj and Arkan had already arrived
in Krajina and had seen action. *1012 In an interview, Seselj stated, «We will not allow Croatians,
who killed one millions Serbs, to gain Serbian territory». Seselj also bragged that his men were
responsible for killing 12 Croatian policemen in a 2 May ambush in north- eastern Croatia. In all,
close to 4,000 of Seselj's and Arkan's men were said to have reinforced the Serb volunteers fighting
in Krajina. *1013
10. Metkovic County
This county is located north of Dubrovnik in southern Croatia with BiH on its eastern border.
According to the 1991 census, the population was 22,774, of which 3.1 per cent was Serb, 93.7 per
cent Croat, and 3.2 per cent «other».
Paramilitary units of the Croatian Armed Forces (HOS) allegedly ran detention facilities for
Serbian civilians at sites along the Dalmatian coast including one in Metkovic. Allegedly, these
facilities contained civilians taken from the Capljina municipality of BiH.
11. Nova Gradiska County
Nova Gradiska County is located in central Croatia along the northern border of BiH.
According to the 1991 census, the population was 60,461 of which 20.8 per cent was Serb, 71.5 per
cent Croat, 3 per cent «Yugoslav», and 4.5 per cent «other».
Serbian paramilitary forces commanded by Milan Martic allegedly operated at Stara Gradiska,
a village in Nova Gradiska on the Sava river.
12. Osijek County *1014
Osijek County is located in eastern Croatia, just north of Vukovar County. As of 1991, it had a
population of 164,577. The ethnic breakdown of the population was 20 per cent Serb, 66.6 per cent
Croat, 8.4 per cent «other», and 5 per cent «Yugoslav». There were reports of both Serbian and
Croatian paramilitary activity in this county.
On 15 February 1991, Arkan's police entered the village of Sodolovci and invaded the
homes of several Croatian residents. Eight of the civilians were abducted and taken to a
home, and then to another home in Koprivna. They spent two nights there, during which
time they were questioned, humiliated, and mistreated. On 17 February, 15 additional
residents arrived. The next morning all 23 were loaded onto a truck and driven to the centre
of Paulin Dvor. The residents were positioned into line-formation, and one resident was
given a white flag. They were then ordered to walk over minefields towards Hrastin. *1015
A 29 November 1991 news report said that the Serbian-led Yugoslav People's Army
had conquered one-third of Croatia and had turned the territory over to Serb leaders, who
had declared the area a new autonomous Serbian province. At the village of Erdut on the
Danube River, temporary regional capital of the purported province, Arkan reportedly made
clear that his irregular forces would never be replaced by U.N. troops. Arkan is alleged to
have said, «United Nations forces are welcome in Croatia, but they should be sent to Zagreb.
They aren't needed here.» According to the report, like most Serbian fighters, Arkan and his
Tigers did not consider the occupied regions to be part of Croatia. Therefore, they thought
them exempt from a U.N. condition that all areas of conflict in Croatia be demilitarized.
*1016 A contemporaneous report states that Arkan, in the Serb-held village of Erdut, 12
miles from Osijek, said, «It would be better for the Croats to surrender Osijek without a
fight, if they do not want a repeat of their defeat in Vukovar». *1017
A December 1991 report states that Arkan and his troops held the town of Erdut.
According to the report, Arkan said, «Next we are going to liberate Osijek, and then we are
going to liberate Zagreb . . . We don't care about borders . . . We will respect the U.N.
solution, but the U.N. must count all Serbs as one people. What I really want is for Serbian
people to live in one state covering every place Serbs live now.» At this time, Arkan was
reportedly nursing «a bullet wound in his hand from the Serb- won battles for Vukovar and
Borovo Naselje». *1018
On 23 June 1992, between 25 and 30 people were killed in the village of Ernestinovo,
reportedly by Arkan supporters, the JNA and «Cetniks». Ten of the victims were Croatian
soldiers, and there were indications that they were killed in combat. All of the bodies were
buried in a mass grave, alongside the bodies of farm animals, in an Ernestinovo park
between June and November of 1992. There is a possible second mass grave which also
contains farm animals. *1019
According to US Government reports, paramilitary forces under Commander Glavas

were responsible for criminal acts designed to intimidate the Serbian population in Osijek.
Glavas himself is alleged to have killed many civilians there and one Croat fighter from the
region was reportedly captured wearing a necklace made from the fingers of young children.
*1020
13. Pakrac County *1021
This county is located in UNPA Sector West. The 1991 census listed Pakrac County's
population as 27,288, of which 46.4 per cent was Serb, 36 per cent Croat, 4.8 per cent «Yugoslavs»
According to a report from the Republic of Croatia, on 19 August 1991, 39 members of the
Serbian paramilitary units, called the XII Slavonian Shock brigade, attacked Pakrac. Croatian
civilians were killed, evicted, or imprisoned at a camp in Bucje, and Croatian property in Pakrac
was stolen or destroyed. The XII Slavonian Shock brigade was allegedly formed by the JNA and
the Serbian Democratic Party and included troops from the Unit of Daruvar and the Bilogorski
Odred paramilitary units. *1022
Croatian civilians in the village of Prekopakra were reportedly attacked by units of the XII
Slavonian Shock brigade on 19 August 1991. An unspecified number of Croatian civilians was
killed, evicted, or imprisoned at a camp in Bucje. Also, Croatian property in Prekopakra was
allegedly stolen or destroyed. *1023
The Serbian paramilitary group Martic's Militia allegedly organized camps and prisons in the
village of Bucje, Pakrac county. In these camps, captured civilians and members of the Croatian
Army were allegedly severely mistreated and/or killed. No further details were given in the report.
*1024
14. Petrinja County *1025
Petrinja County is located in central Croatia, with a population of 35,622. This population was
44.9 per cent Serb, 44.2 per cent Croat, 5.1 per cent «Yugoslav» and 5.8 per cent «other».
In September 1990, Serbs from Petrinja and surrounding villages reportedly attacked the police
station in Petrinja. It is alleged that they demanded the surrender of arms belonging to the Croatian
Police Reserve. The Croatian Ministry of the Interior organized a transfer of arms in the direction of
Sisak, but the Serbs reportedly stopped it at Moscenica and returned it to Petrinja. *1026
The tension in Petrinja increased and reached a peak in 1991. As early as June 1991, Serbs
from the villages surrounding Petrinja, helped by Arkan's and Seselj's men and units of the former
Yugoslav army, attacked the Croatian Ministry of the Interior police station in the village of
Kraljevcani. The policemen withdrew to Petrinja.
Mass killings of civilian villagers allegedly followed in July 1991. A witness reported that
frequent explosions at night were targeted at, among others, Serbs who remained loyal to the
Croatian authorities.
By 23 September 1991, all the defenders had left the city.
15. Podravska Slatina County *1027
Podravska Slatina County is located in north-eastern Croatia, on the Hungarian border. The
county had a population of 31,155 in 1991, of which 35.8 per cent was Serb, 57.2 per cent Croat,
3.5 per cent «Yugoslav» and 3.5 per cent «other».
During June 1990, the Serbian Democratic Party was established in Podravska Slatina. On 19
August 1991, paramilitary troops under the command of Borivoje Lukic and Borivoje
Radosavljevic occupied the police station at Vocin. *1028 In December 1991, 42 Vocin Croats were
killed by Serbian paramilitary forces, including local Serbs, White Eagles, and «Cetniks». Many of
the corpses were severely burned. Twenty other Croatians from nearby villages were also reportedly
killed. The Roman Catholic church was blown up and many of the houses in Vocin were destroyed.
*1029
On 4 September 1991, Seseljovci and White Eagles allegedly attacked the villages of Vocin,
Cetekovac, Balinci, and Coljug killing 44 residents. Some of those killed were said to have been
tortured. *1030
During the months of October to December 1991, units of the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade
also attacked villages in Podravska Slatina. They used mortars, tank grenades, and rocket launchers
in the attacks. *1031
16. Sisak County *1032
This county is located in central Croatia, south-east of Zagreb. The pre-war population was
84,247, of which 22.8 per cent was Serb, 64.5 per cent Croat, 3.1 per cent Muslim, 4.4 per cent
«Yugoslav» and 5.2 per cent «other».
A report, sent from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Commission of Experts, alleges
that, during the first half of 1991, a paramilitary unit called the Hawks destroyed a slaughterhouse
and four shops belonging to Serbian residents in Sisak. The Hawks were reportedly linked to the
Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs. *1033
17. Slavonska Pozega County
This county is located in the central eastern region of Croatia. As of 1991, its population was
71,299, of which 14 per cent was Serbian, 79.4 per cent Croatian and 6.6 per cent «other».
After June 1991, the Bilogorski Odred participated in attacks in Slavonska Pozega, along with
other units of the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade and the JNA. Allegedly, the JNA and the Serbian
Democratic Party (SDS) for Slavonia and Baranja formed the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade for
operations in Slavonia, including Slavonska Pozega county. However, reports submitted to the
Commission of Experts are not specific regarding paramilitary activity there. *1034
18. Split County *1035
Split County is located on the southern coast of Croatia. It's population, according to the 191
census, was 206,612. The ethnic mix in Split was 4.2 per cent Serb, 87.3 per cent Croat, 8.5 per cent
«other».
Before being disbanded in August 1992, members of the Croatian Armed Forces (HOS) ran the
Lora camp in Split for Bosnian Serb prisoners captured in Capljina County in south-west BiH. *1036
19. Titova Korenica County *1037
This county is located in southern Croatia. The pre-war population was 11,307, of which 75.8
per cent was Serb, 16.8 per cent Croat, 3.5 per cent «Yugoslav», and 3.9 per cent «other».
Serbian paramilitary forces commanded by Milan Martic also are alleged to operate in Titova
Korenica County.
20. Virovitica County

This county is located in northern Croatia. According to the 1991 census, the county's
population was 46,498. This population was 15.7 per cent Serb, 76.8 per cent Croat, and 7.5 per
cent «other».
Virovitica is one of several Slavonian counties where the XII Slavonian Shock Brigade
operated after June 1991. The Brigade launched infantry and mortar attacks and took prisoners
throughout Slavonia, including Virovitica County.
21. Vukovar County *1038
Vukovar County is in eastern Croatia, separated from Serbia by the Danube River. According
to the 1991 census, the population of Vukovar County was 84,024, of which 37.4 per cent was Serb,
43.7 per cent Croat, 7.4 per cent «Yugoslav», and 11.6 per cent «other». There are reports of both
Serbian and Croatian paramilitary activity in Vukovar County.
On 1 April 1991, in the town of Borovo in Vukovar County, six weeks before Croatian
Stipe Mesic was to become the president of the collective head of state, some of Seselj's
troops moved into the village of Borovo. *1039 The «Cetniks» had been sent to the region to
protect the minority Serbs from the increasingly nationalistic Croatians. *1040 The «Cetniks»
allegedly surrounded two police patrols, injuring five, one critically. *1041 Barricades and
armed sentries were established at various locations in the region, but reports suggest that
they were mainly staffed by Serbs from the neighbouring communities of Vukovar and
Vinkovci. *1042 Seselj, however, had personally visited Vukovar the night of 31 March.
*1043 The «Cetniks» remained in the region and the JNA remained silent and made no
attempt to disarm them. *1044
Seselj returned to the region on 21 April 1991 to give a speech in the village of
Jagodnjak. *1045 The speech prompted the district public prosecutor's office to issue a
warrant for Seselj's arrest on 7 May for provoking and fomenting national hatred and
intolerance between Croatians and Serbians. *1046
On 8 May 1991, a gun-fight broke out in the region between police in the village of
Borovo Selo and 14 members of the «Cetniks» accompanied by two members of the Serbian
Renaissance Movement, and six local Serbs. *1047 The shooting began as a result of an
alleged ambush of the police by the «Cetniks», in which 12 police were killed and at least
one had his eyes extracted. *1048
Seselj publicly acknowledged that his Cetniks killed the 12 Borovo Selo police, but
insisted that the altercation resulted after an attack by members of the Croatian Ministry of
Internal Affairs and was an alleged ambush. *1049 Seselj confirmed that the eyes of one
policeman were missing and attributed it to the strong impact of the bullet from the
Thompson automatic sub- machine-gun to the head of the victim. *1050
The names of the 12 or 13 police that were killed were not disclosed in the reports, nor
were the names of the witnesses. According to a Newsday report, the deputy commander of
the Cetnik operation was 23 year-old Oliver Denis Barret. *1051 A Los Angeles Times report
did name Vladimir Mrklja, a 21 year-old unemployed Serbian, as one of the «Cetniks»
involved in the incident. *1052
The battle over Vukovar raged in the summer and fall months of 1991. A report quoted
Arkan, while in battle over Serb- populated areas of Croatia, as saying, «We have to free our
children and our women which are holding [sic] as hostages there». *1053
On 14 October 1991, Serbian irregulars and members of the JNA entered the village of
Bapska. In the first few days of occupation, 70 Croatian houses were burned and 18
Croatian civilians killed. In November 1991, Arkan's troops arrived and the assaults against
the Croatians increased. *1054
A Yugoslav army internal memorandum, signed by Colonel Milan Eremija a month
before the fall of Vukovar and sent to the army's regional command office, identified two
militia groups in the Vukovar region as dangerous to «military morale». One was a band led
by Arkan and the other, the Cetniks led by Seselj. The memorandum said that there were
many paramilitary formations from Serbia and self-proclaimed volunteers, whose primary
motive was not fighting against the enemy but robbery of private property and inhuman
treatment of Croatian citizens. The memorandum reportedly recommended that all
paramilitary groups in the area be disarmed. *1055
In November of 1991, Serb militia forces devastated the city of Vukovar. According to
a New York Times report, during the final days of the Vukovar battle, Western reporters
saw Serbian soldiers pulling men in civilian clothes from columns of refugees and shooting
them on the spot. *1056 Women, children and the elderly were among the victims. In late
November 1991, the last defenders of Vukovar, which had been predominantly Croatian, hid
in cellars with their families to escape the shelling. Reportedly, those who had refused to
surrender when the army took the city's centre were blasted when guerrillas lobbed grenades
to flush out each basement. *1057 Reports describe that on 19 November 1991, Serbian
paramilitary units under the command of Vlado Kovacevic took Vukovar civilians from
their basements to the Pekara bakery, where they were reportedly killed with knives and
burned in a baker's oven. *1058
According to several witness testimonies, Seselj himself was in Vukovar on 19

November 1991. He allegedly paid each of his troops 23,000 dinars. *1059 He gave the
instruction, «Surrender and stab to death». About 960 persons were allegedly stabbed to
death that day. *1060
On 19 November 1991, having heard a report that hundreds of wounded Croatians,
many with gangrene, were hiding in the hospital basement without medicine or electricity,
U.N. peace envoy Cyrus Vance and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
representatives reportedly demanded access to the hospital in Vukovar. The field
commander of the Serb-led Yugoslav army, which had captured the city, did not permit
access. The commander reportedly said that the hospital was mined, and he could not
guarantee their safety. *1061
Concurrent with the Vance/ICRC visit, Yugoslav Army soldiers and Serb paramilitaries
put Vukovar hospital patients and medical personnel on several buses to Ovcara and
frequently beat and mistreated the prisoners during the journey. Along the way, the buses
stopped at the JNA barracks where the prisoners were again beaten. Upon their arrival at
Ovcara, the prisoners were stripped of their belongings and further beaten. One witness
stated that at least two men were beaten to death. On 20 November, the Yugoslav army
soldiers divided the prisoners into groups of 20 and loaded each group onto a truck to be
driven away. Fifteen minutes later the truck would return, empty and ready to take on
another group of prisoners. A witness said that many of the Serb paramilitaries spoke openly
of the shootings. One gunman reportedly said: «Since five in the afternoon to one in the
morning, we were killing them in Ovcara». According to the 29 November 1991 edition of
the Croatian magazine Globus, a Serbian soldier who introduced himself as one of Arkan's
men told a reporter who visited Vukovar one day after it fell: «We summarily executed 300
prisoners. We have a people's court here, you shoot and that's it.» *1062
Several witnesses related that several factions were involved in the imprisonment and
eventual mass killing of the Croatians from Vukovar Hospital: the White Eagles, the Serbian
Volunteer Guard (led by Arkan), the Cetniks (led by Seselj), the first company of the
territorial defence unit of Vukovar, and other Yugoslav army regulars. *1063 The SAO
Krajina Police (possibly Martic's Militia) were also mentioned. A witness mentioned several
individuals as perpetrators of the detention, beating, and killing of between 200 to 300
Croatians. The witness identified six of the men who beat the prisoners while they waited at
the JNA barracks to be transported to Ovcara. However, their names are not disclosed for
confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons. The witness identified the officer who directed the
Vukovar hospital evacuation and named four others. *1064 Names are not disclosed for
confidentiality and prosecutorial reasons.
In the fall of 1992, international forensic experts discovered a shallow mass grave about
six miles south-east of Vukovar. The scientists found the mass grave by following detailed
map information provided by a Vukovar hospital patient, who said he escaped from a truck
full of prisoners by jumping out. At the mass grave, the scientists saw hundreds of bullet
holes in nearby saplings and mounds of metal casings from spent machine-gun bullets. The
experts reportedly concluded that the grave was the site of a machine-gun execution of about
200 people. *1065 They found an area of disturbed earth and, within minutes, skeletons.
Reportedly the area looked as if a bulldozer had shoveled out a trench. *1066 Scientists had a
list of 180 missing patients and 30 staff members who were in the hospital when Vukovar
fell as well as hospital records showing what wounds the patients had when they were
admitted to the hospital. *1067
Clyde Snow, an American forensic anthropologist who headed the team investigating
the Vukovar case, said in a January 1993 interview that evidence found at the mass grave
was consistent with witnesses' testimony of how Croatian patients were taken from the
hospital by Serb combatants. Snow indicated that the artifacts found on the bodies were
Croatian, and that the bodies were suspiciously close to where witnesses said they would be.
According to Snow, Roman Catholic crosses and rosary beads found on two bodies
exhumed at the site suggested that the dead were Croats. Of the two bodies examined thus
far, both had gunshot wounds to the head. Snow's team, organized by a US-based group
called Physicians for Human Rights, released a report in January 1993. *1068
Seselj and his men were also said to have been at Velepromet, the holding facility for
civilians who were eventually taken to other prison camps. This report stated that with help
from local «Cetniks», 250 persons were stripped and killed with a knife. The bodies were
stacked one upon another, face down. Croatians were forced to bury the bodies at an old
brickyard at Sajmiste. From there, the corpses were transported to Grabovo and thrown into
a hole. *1069
As a result of the fighting in Vukovar, 1,798 people are known to have died and 2,500
are missing on the Croatian side. The Serbian side has not released casualty figures. *1070
Another report puts the death toll at 5,000. *1071 Slavko Dokmanovic, the Serb-installed
president of Vukovar's city council, said that about 5,000 people had died in the fight but did
not indicate how he calculated the figure. *1072
The city of Vukovar sustained massive destruction: every tree was reduced to splinters;
every vehicle perforated; every roof torn off; not a single home habitable; no shop, church,
or public building intact; and a rubber factory which had provided 60,000 jobs was in
shambles. A report said that the stench of rotting flesh emanated from under the piles of
rubble. *1073 In September 1992, a reporter observed in residential neighbourhoods,
reportedly with no strategic value, that every single home had been gutted by grenades, tank
fire, and machine- gun salvos, every window broken, and every roof blown off. Some homes
had Orthodox Serbian cross painted on ruined walls, others the Catholic cross of Croatia,
symbols reportedly intended to protect the homes from respective opposing armies. *1074
According to a San Francisco Chronicle report, Arkan's troops were responsible for
much of the destruction in the Croatian neighbourhoods. *1075 Another report attributed the
wreckage to the work of Yugoslav federal forces, and quoted Arkan as saying that the
destruction of Croatian «fascists» had been necessary in order to protect against «genocide».
*1076 Shortly after the fall of Vukovar, Arkan reportedly said that his forces were under the
direct command of the Yugoslav armed forces. A news article claims that he told reporters
in Erdut that Osijek would fall more easily than Vukovar. *1077
By the end of November 1991, Vukovar was named the capital of the Serbian
Autonomous Region of Slavonia, Baranja, and West Srem. After surveying the ruins of
Vukovar, Belgrade, Mayor Milorad Unkovic vowed to rebuild the city as a monument to
Serbian determination. Unkovic told a handful of unshaven, middle-aged guerrillas, «To
rebuild this town is the humane thing to do. It's something that has to be done for the people
who lived here and wish to remain.» These guerillas, who had stopped looting to join the
Belgrade delegation, wore Serbian nationalist insignia. *1078
Serb paramilitary groups also allegedly operated in Lovas and Borovo, two villages
within Vukovar county. Arkan himself was once in Borovo, at which time he personally
killed a village resident in front of witnesses. *1079
The attack on Lovas began on 10 October 1991. During the first few days of the attack,
«Cetniks» allegedly killed over 70 persons and burned over 50 houses. The report identified
the «Cetnik units» as those of Dusan Silni and the White Eagles. *1080
On 22 December 1991, a resident of Lovas was taken from his house with another
civilian to the town police station, where Arkan's units were located, along with White
Eagles and Knindza's units. The citizens were beaten, kicked, and abused. They were then
taken to a garage with other villagers, and three of them were crucified and made to sing
Croatian songs. Eventually all of the villagers were released. *1081
In addition, an Amnesty International Report from March 1992 refers to numerous
summary executions of civilians in the Lovas area. These executions were carried out by
several different paramilitary groups, including the Beli Orlovi (White Eagles), Dusan Silni
(Dusan the Great), Arkan's and Seselj's men, Jovicevci and Marticevci. *1082 Specifically,
the report notes that on an unspecified date, 51 Croatian civilians were killed by Serb
irregulars, and an additional 17 civilians were forced to hold hands and enter a minefield.
Many of them were seriously wounded in the subsequent explosions. *1083
Serb paramilitary forces were also active in Tovarnik, a town south-east of Vukovar
city, on the border separating Croatia from Serbia. According to reports, on 7 September
1991, Dusan Silni forces killed a Catholic priest and set homes on fire there. *1084 Reports
also describe how, between 27 and 30 September 1991, a Serbian paramilitary unit called
Drago's Group raped two 14 year-old girls in front of their grandmother and killed
approximately 80 people. *1085
In Borovo Naselje, a local paramilitary unit allegedly detained civilians and transported
them to a prison camp at Stajicevo in Serbia. A witness stated that during the ride to the
prison camp, members of the paramilitary unit beat the prisoners. The same witness stated
that the Stajicevo prison camp held 6,500 people from Vukovar County and that many
women were detained there. *1086
Allegedly, Mile Dedakovic, alias «Jastreb», commanded Croatian paramilitaries in

Vukovar who killed and tortured civilians. *1087
22. Zadar County *1088
This county is located on the western coast of Croatia. Its population in 1991 was 134,881, of
which 10.5 per cent was Serb, 83.4 per cent Croat and 6.1 per cent «other».
The Belgrade news agency, Tanjug, reported that the Italian mercenary unit trained by Serbian
commander Captain Dragan carried out reconnaissance and sabotage missions along combat lines in
the Velebit mountains, north of Zadar. *1089
On 18 November 1991, Serbian paramilitaries, belonging to Seselj, reportedly attacked the
civilian population of Skabrnja in the county of Zadar using tank and infantry units, and killing 16
civilians. *1090
C. Serbia
1. Hrtkovci
The activities of Seselj's men in Hrtkovci began in early May of 1992, when Seselj delivered a
speech on 6 May stating that all Croatians and Hungarians who had been disloyal in the last year's
war would have to leave the town. One of his followers had a list which contained the names of 17
residents who were selected as the first group to leave. At the time, 70 per cent of the 3,000 person
population was Croat. The first 17 left, but other lists followed. As of August of 1992, only 400
Croatians remained in the village. Those who chose to stay were forced to endure threatening
letters, beatings, and attacks on their homes. *1091 Streets were renamed after Serb historical
figures. The Seselj party even devised a slogan for its campaign to rid the area of Croats: «All
Croats Out Of Hrtkovci». *1092
Gangs of Serbs have forced Croats out of their homes, at times giving them mere days or hours
to vacate their premises. *1093 Residents complained to the local police, but the police said that
lacked authorization to act. Several people have been killed. *1094 Many citizens traveled to
Belgrade in August of 1992 to protest the mistreatment of the Croatians in Hrtkovci. *1095
2. Kosovo
The province of Kosovo, which is 90 per cent Albanian, has been the site of much tension
between Serb forces and the Albanian civilian population. Serbs began their attempts to influence
the Albanians' lives, both culturally and politically, in 1992 by closing colleges, dismissing 100,000
Albanian workers and replacing them with Serbs, and arming massive numbers of Serbs who live in
the province. President of the Kosovo Albanians, Ibrahim Rugova, reported that he possessed secret
information that paramilitary groups led by Arkan and Seselj were already present in Kosovo in
1992. Shots were fired at Albanian civilians and their houses. *1096 In December 1992, Arkan was
elected to the Serbian parliament to represent Kosovo, and he established his headquarters in a
Pristina hotel. Seselj called for the expulsion of 360,000 Kosovo Muslims in January of 1993,
adding yet another cultural group to the conflict in that province. *1097 Pristina, the capital of
Kosovo, was selected by Seselj in May of 1993 as the site for an anti-Albanian rally. This rally was
planned in response to a strike by 1,500 journalists and other employees of the Rilindja newspaper.
*1098
By June 1993, Serb police were noted to «control everything and constantly terrorize the
Albanian Kosovars». Belgrade had issued orders to «shoot to kill», and 25 innocent Albanians had
already been shot at point-blank range. In all, 40,000 Serb military and 25,000 Serb policemen, as
well as large numbers of the Serbian civilian population, were heavily armed. Thousands of Serb
refugees from BiH and Croatia were purposefully resettled in Kosovo to weaken the huge Albanian
majority in the province. Two Serb policemen were murdered in June, reportedly under Seselj's
order so that he could blame the murders on the Albanians and fan the flames of an already tense
situation. *1099 President Rugova hypothesized that Serb aggression in the area might provoke a
wave of Albanian radicalism, whereby Seselj's followers might supply arms to radical Albanian
groups to provoke incidents against the civilian population. *1100
Although no longer Kosovo's representative in Parliament, Arkan was recently quoted as
saying: «We are going to deport Rugova and open the border to (send back) all the emigrants from
Albania. Over 700,000 Albanians must be sent back...Only those loyal citizens of Serbia will stay
here.» *1101
3. Pljevlja
Six of Seselj's followers were arrested for alleged involvement in acts of terrorism in the
predominantly Muslim town of Pljevlja on 6 and 7 August 1992. The group was also charged with
violent behaviour, interference with the work of the police, and aiding in the escape of arrested
persons for incidents occurring on 8 and 9 August 1992. *1102
4. Sandzak
Sandzak, the border area between Serbia and BiH, which is largely dominated by Muslims, was
the locale for a wave of arson, kidnapping, and killing by Serb forces against the Muslim
population. Allegedly, these acts were committed to distance Serbian Muslims from their ties with
Bosnian Muslims. In March of 1993, 18 Muslims from Serbia and Montenegro were abducted from
a train and remain missing. Other Muslims have been kidnapped from hospitals and villages.
Beatings of civilians and the looting and burning of homes occurred in indeterminate numbers. A
total of 9,500 people have fled from Sandzak and other Muslim districts in Serbia and Montenegro.
Muslim party leaders charge that the attacks are another example of Serbian «ethnic cleansing»,
noting that Seselj himself had previously called for the «cleansing» of Muslims from the Sandzak
region. *1103
5. Vojvodina
In the Vojvodina city of Sombor in late December 1991 and early January 1992, explosives
damaged a Croatian church, two Croatian restaurants, and the home of a prominent Croatian
political leader. Arkan announced these bombings on the local radio. The Croatians have been told
that they must leave the city by a certain date or be killed. *1104
In May 1992, Vojvodina Muslims and Croatians, as well as Hungarians, fled their homes in
fear of Seselj's men. Seselj's forces were reportedly threatening the villagers of Vojvodina during
June 1992. Witnesses claim that the men told the villagers that they would not leave Vojvodina
alive because Seselj's forces would kill them all. At night the forces were heard chanting, «Move
out, Ustase, today is your last day, we will slaughter all of you tomorrow». *1105 The exact number
of departures is unknown. Serbia denies that the refugees were forced out of their homes, saying
that Croats departed voluntarily after agreeing to swap their properties for those belonging to Serbs
in Croatia. *1106
On 29 September 1992, in the northern Vojvodina town of Subotica, the local SRS leader stated
that the party would be forming a paramilitary group to «cleanse Subotica of all those who do not
recognize Serbia and its political and territorial integrity». Seselj was reportedly handing out arms
to Serbian farmers in the region. *1107
Associated notes

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Special forces

United Nations - Security Council

Final report of the United Nations Commission of Experts

Under the Direction of:

Principal Legal Anaylst:

B. Brief military history *5

This study found that:

B. Forces operating in support of BiH - the Green Berets and Mujahedin

1. The Green Berets

(a) Scope of military operations

(b) Ties with the Government and regular military of BiH

(c) Allegations of violations

(d) Summary of reported paramilitary activity *31

(b) Scope of military activity

(c) Ties with the Government and regular military of BiH

(d) Allegations of war crimes

(e) Summary of reported paramilitary activity *60

C. Paramilitaries operating in support of the Croatian Government

1. The Croatian Defence Forces (HOS)

(b) Scope of military activity

(d) Allegations of war crimes

(e) Summary of reported paramilitary activity *86

2. Paramilitary forces under the command of Jusuf Prazina, alias «Juka»

(b) Scope of military activity

(d) Allegations of war crimes

(e) Summary of reported paramilitary activity *115

D. Paramilitary forces operating in support of FRY and the self-proclaimed Serb

1. Scope of military operations

(a) Vojislav Seselj

(a) Vojislav Seselj *148

(b) Arkan *150

4. Allegations of war crimes

5. Summary of reported paramilitary activity *156

6. Personal histories of Vojislav Seselj and Zeljko Raznjatovic

(a) Vojislav Seselj

(i) Activities before the war

After returning to Yugoslavia, Seselj lectured in political science at Sarajevo

(ii) Domestic political activity

Seselj indicated the involvement of the following individuals in Milosevic's

(iii) Seselj's paramilitary troops

(b) Zeljko Raznjatovic

(i) Activities before the war

Arkan continued his criminal activities throughout Europe. He is wanted in

(ii) Activities during the war

b. Breaking United Nations sanctions and other business ventures

(iii) Domestic political activity

(iv) The Tigers

III. Other identified paramilitary groups *312

A. Paramilitary groups operating in support of the Government of BiH

Name of Unit : Akrepi (Ugljes)

Name of Unit : Alija's Army

 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Information on the Aggression of the Republic of Croatia

Name of Unit : Bogdan Gagic's Formation

Name of Unit : Forces of Hasan Hakalovic

Name of Unit : Hrasnica Forces

Name of Unit : Mecetove Bebe (Mecet's Babies)

Name of Unit : MOS or Muslim Armed Forces.

Name of Unit : Mosque Doves (or Pigeons)