30 May 2013 - ICTY

49536
Pupovac, one of Captain Dragan’s pupils, had been established in the Serbian municipality of
Skelani. 3269
1650. According to a 3 August 1992 report to the Eastern Bosnia Corps Command,
concerning the operations by “Red Berets” units in the ranks of the VRS, a training camp was
organized in the Serbian municipality of Skelani at the beginning of June 1992, for the
purpose of training members of the Serbian army from a few municipalities in the Birač
region. According to the report, the camp was directed by “a certain Pupavac” from Captain
Dragan’s group. Training included exercises for physical condition and endurance, a few
sessions of firing practice, and tactical exercises. After the completion of their training, the
groups returned to their home municipalities. In mid-July 1992, 20 officers arrived in
Bratunac; they were commanded by Boško Nešković, who was assisted by Predrag
Spasojević, who according to the report was a criminal claiming to be an employee of the
Federal DB. 3270
1651. A 15 May 1993 report on the establishment of Red Berets in Skelani stated that the
Red Berets were a “unit for special purposes” of the MUP of Serbia in Skelani. According to
the report, the unit was established on 8 June 1992 with 20 military conscripts and three
instructors who trained the soldiers. From September 1992, persons who had not completed
their military service were sent to the Red Berets unit for basic military training. 3271
1652. On 25 February 1993, Commander Major Nebojša Ilić of the Skelani Independent
Battalion reported to the Drina Corps Command that a unit of the MUP of Serbia (the Red
Berets) was stationed in Skelani and nearly all of the Battalion’s recruits received training in
“that centre” for a period of between one and three months. Ilić added that by the time of his
report, the battalion numbered around 800 soldiers, including two volunteer units (60 Radicals
and 80 Red Berets soldiers) who were under the command of the battalion. 3272
1653. The Trial Chamber now turns to documentary evidence regarding who was present at
the Skelani camp. Documents entitled Republic of Serbia MUP personal files of Special
Purpose Unit members provided that a number of persons from Skelani and Bajina Bašta
3269 P383 (Report on paramilitary formations in the territory of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina,
signed by Colonel Zdravko Tolimir, 28 July 1993), pp. 1, 5, 11.
3270 P2104 (Report of Affairs Officer to the Eastern Bosnia Corps Command concerning operations by Red
Berets in the ranks of the Army of the Serbian Republic, signed by Staff Sergeant Drago Nikolić, 3 August
1992).
3271 P399 (Report of the Skelani Independent Battalion to the Drina Corps regarding the Establishment of the
Red Berets, or the Units for Special Purposes of the MUP of Serbia in Skelani, 15 May 1993), p. 1.
Case No. IT-03-69-T 582
30 May 2013