30 May 2013 - ICTY

49259
2386. The most important tools of the Serbian DB in the SAO SBWS were Kostić and Kojić.
Illija Kojić was appointed minister of defence in September 1991. Kojić’s position vis-à-vis
the MUP was not very clear at that time. What is known, is that in August 1991 he was
delivering weapons that he had received from Stanišić, 5083 and that in mid-July 1991 he was
already linked to Kostić, and viewed as working for the Serbian DB. 5084
2387. In relation to Kostić and Kojić, I recall that the Trial Chamber found that Ilija Kojić
was the first commander of the SAO SBWS TO, and that Radoslav Kostić worked for the
SBWS police and was also an employee of the Serbian DB. However, the majority considered
that it had not received conclusive evidence showing that in his capacity as TO commander,
Kojić was influenced by, or acted at the orders or instructions of the Accused. The majority
further considered that the mere fact that Kostić was employed by the Serbian DB at the
relevant time did not mean that his acts could be attributed to the Accused and that there was
no conclusive evidence that Kostić played a role in the formation of the SBWS TO and police.
In relation to the role of Kojić and Kostić in the arming of the SBWS forces, the majority was
unable to conclude that they acted at the behest of the Accused or that the Accused played any
role in arranging the distribution of weapons. 5085
2388. I consider that the majority erred in making these findings, and that the acts of Kostić
and Kojić were carried out on behalf of Stanišić. Witness JF-032 testified that, when Stanišić
came to Dalj in late September 1991 to discuss the situation of Vukovar with, inter alia,
Hadžić, he was accompanied by Kojić and Kostić. 5086 The witness further testified that he had
been present at a meeting in Belgrade considering the assistance that the police of the SBWS
was supposed to receive. During the meeting, Jovica Stanišić came into the room, and
introduced himself as head of the DB. Kojić and Kostić, who also showed up at some point,
told the witness to address them in future, with regard to equipment and assistance. Following
large deliveries of weapons from Serbia, Ilija Kojić told the witness that the deliveries were
organized by the Novi Sad DB, and Kostić and Šarac were in charge of the weapon
transfers. 5087 Witness JF-030 testified that two men from the Serbian DB frequently visited
5083 Borivoje Savić, T. 1758-1759.
5084 P402 (Witness JF-032, Slobodan Milošević transcript, 29-31 January 2003), pp. 15130-15143; P2091
(Witness JF-030, witness statement, 21 August 2003), paras 7-14; See P553 (Borislav Bogunović, witness
statement, 6 June 2003), para. 33
5085 See chapters 6.7.3 and 6.7.4.
5086 The testimony of the witness was considered in chapter 6.9, and referenced by the Trial Chamber as
inconclusive with regard to the link between the Accused and Kojić.
5087 See chapters 6.7.3 and 6.7.4.
Case No. IT-03-69-T 859
30 May 2013