{"id":1475,"date":"2020-11-15T20:37:21","date_gmt":"2020-11-15T19:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snv.hr\/zlocini\/osijek\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T16:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T14:21:11","slug":"osijek","status":"publish","type":"zlocini","link":"https:\/\/snv.hr\/en\/zlocini\/osijek\/","title":{"rendered":"Osijek"},"content":{"rendered":"

location: <\/strong>According to the 2011 population census, Osijek had 83,496 inhabitants, of whom 979, or 0.91%, were Serbs. According to the 1991 census, there were 165,253 inhabitants living in the area of the city of Osijek, of whom 33,146, or 20%, were Serbs. The territorial and administrative structure changed significantly between 1991 and 2011, making direct comparisons unrepresentative, but even when considering only the number of inhabitants who lived exclusively in Osijek’s urban settlements in 1991, the figure was 104,761, of whom 15,985, or 15.3%, were Serbs. It is entirely clear that the proportion of the Serbian population in Osijek has shown one of the most drastic declines in all of Croatia since 1991.<\/p>\n

time: <\/strong>From July to December 1991<\/p>\n

Description of crimes:<\/strong> In the second half of 1991, while Osijek was on the front line of the war, abductions, disappearances, detentions, torture, and murders of Serbs who remained in the city occurred within Osijek itself. The crimes committed against Serbian civilians in Osijek are publicly known under the colloquial names \u201cGarage\u201d and \u201cSellotape\u201d. The \u201cGarage\u201d case refers to the abductions and torture of Serbian civilians in the building of the Municipal Secretariat for National Defence, chaired by Branimir Glava\u0161, while the \u201cSellotape\u201d case refers to the murders of Serbian civilians whose hands were bound with adhesive tape at the time of their killing, on the banks of the Drava River. At least ten people were killed in this manner.<\/p>\n

While serving as Secretary of the Municipal Secretariat for National Defence, Branimir Glava\u0161 established, equipped, and armed a military unit under the Secretariat, which at the time was informally referred to by various names: the Headquarters Company, the Headquarters Crew, the Protection Crew or Branimir’s Osijek Battalion, and was later officially named the 1st Osijek Defence Battalion. Some members of this unit carried out orders and committed crimes against Serbs living in Osijek.<\/p>\n

On 31 August 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion brought two individuals into one of the garages in the courtyard next to the Secretariat, one of whom was \u010cedomir Vu\u010dkovi\u0107. Throughout the day, members of the unit beat \u010cedomir Vu\u010dkovi\u0107 with their hands, feet, and parts of weapons. In the evening, Zoran Brekalo, also a member of the unit, drained acid from a car battery and forced Vu\u010dkovi\u0107 to drink it. Due to the severe pain caused by the acid, Vu\u010dkovi\u0107 broke through the garage door and ran into the courtyard, where Krunoslav Fehir fired several shots at him. Two bullets hit him in the abdomen and arm, but according to the court medical expert, \u010cedomir Vu\u010dkovi\u0107 died from sulphuric acid poisoning.<\/p>\n

On 26 November 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion took Branko Lovri\u0107 from his family home at 11 Sisak Street, deprived him of his liberty, and detained him in a house at 30 Dubrovnik Street. From that house, unidentified members of the group took him to the bank of the Drava River and killed him.<\/p>\n

On 3 December 1991, Stjepan Bekavac, Tihomir Valenti\u0107 and Zdravko Dragi\u0107, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion, intercepted Alija \u0160abanovi\u0107 in front of the residential building where he lived in the Sjenjak neighbourhood. They arrested him, transported, and detained him in the basement of the house at 30 Dubrovnik Street. Later, unidentified members of the same group took him from that house to the bank of the Drava River, where they killed him by shooting him in the head with a firearm. Afterwards, they threw his body into the river.<\/p>\n

On 7 December 1991, Stjepan Bekavac, Tihomir Valenti\u0107, and Zdravko Dragi\u0107, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion, took Radoslav Ratkovi\u0107 from his family home and transported him to the house at 30 Dubrovnik Street, where they bound his hands with adhesive tape (or Sellotape), beat him and interrogated him about his alleged hostile activities. After they left, two unidentified soldiers continued beating him and then took him to the riverbank near Tvr\u0111a. There, Dino Konti\u0107 handed an automatic weapon to Zdravko Dragi\u0107 and ordered him to shoot Ratkovi\u0107. Dragi\u0107 fired one shot, hitting Ratkovi\u0107 in the cheek, causing him to fall into the river. Dragi\u0107 then fired another shot from a different rifle, but Radoslav Ratkovi\u0107 survived and managed to swim out of the Drava River. On 7 December 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion took Dr Milutin Kutli\u0107 from his home in Mre\u017enica Street, bound him with adhesive tape, brought him to the bank of the Drava River, shot him in the head with a firearm and threw the body into the river.<\/p>\n

On an unspecified date in the first half of December 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion took Svetislav Vukajlovi\u0107 from his home at 12 Vrt Street, bound him with adhesive tape, brought him to the bank of the Drava River, shot him in the head with a firearm and threw his body into the river.<\/p>\n

On an unspecified date during December 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion arrested an unidentified woman, bound her with adhesive tape, brought her to the bank of the Drava River, shot her in the head with a firearm and threw her body into the river.<\/p>\n

On 29 December 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion took Bogdan Po\u010du\u010da from his house at 19 Wilson Street, bound him with adhesive tape, brought him to the bank of the Drava River, shot him in the head with a firearm, and threw his body into the river.<\/p>\n

On 12 July 1991, members of Branimir’s Osijek battalion arrested Nikola Vasi\u0107 and brought him to the basement of the Municipal Secretariat for National Defence, where they beat him with their hands, feet, weapon parts, and batons, inflicting serious injuries.<\/p>\n

Victims covered by the verdict against Branimir Glava\u0161, Ivica Krnjak, Gordana Geto\u0161 Magdi\u0107, Dino Konti\u0107, Tihomir Valenti\u0107 and Zdravko Dragi\u0107 are as follows: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Grubi\u0107, Jovan (Stevan), born 25 September 1951 \/ 25 August 1951,
    \ndate of death: 13 November 1991<\/li>\n
  2. Kutli\u0107, Milutin (\u0110uro), born 30 June 1941,
    \ndate of death: 7 December 1991<\/li>\n
  3. Ladnjak, Petar (-), born 22 December 1927,
    \ndate of death: 11 December 1991<\/li>\n
  4. Lovri\u0107, Branko (Milan), born 16 May 1950,
    \ndate of death: 26 November 1991, declared deceased as of 6 June 1993, body not recovered<\/li>\n
  5. Po\u010du\u010da, Bogdan (Simo), born 15 September 1938,
    \ndate of death: 29 December 1991 Stanar,<\/li>\n
  6. Milenko (Milan), born 4 July 1948,
    \ndate of death: 25 December 1991 \u0160abanovi\u0107,<\/li>\n
  7. Alija (Re\u0111ep), born 5 August 1947,
    \ndate of death: 3 December 1991 (Macedonian)<\/li>\n
  8. Vu\u010dkovi\u0107, \u010cedomir (Petar), born 1 January 1933,
    \ndate of death: 31 August 1991<\/li>\n
  9. Vukajlovi\u0107, Svetislav (Milivoj), born 24 January 1929,
    \ndate of death: 10 December 1991<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Two unidentified individuals.<\/p>\n

    Victims covered by the verdict against Fred Margu\u0161 and Tomislav Dilber are as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Bulat, Svetozar (Milan), born 6 September 1938,
      \ndate of death: 20 November 1991<\/li>\n
    2. Bulat, Vuka\u0161in (Svetozar), born 17 October 1957,
      \ndate of death: 20 November 1991<\/li>\n
    3. Grandi\u0107, Ljubomir (Blagoje\/Blagoja), born 7 July 1944,
      \ndate of death: 23 November 1991<\/li>\n
    4. Gvozdenovi\u0107, Dragica (Petar), born 10 June 1944,
      \ndate of death: 23 November 1991<\/li>\n
    5. Gvozdenovi\u0107, Stevan (Stevo), born 15 August 1939,
      \ndate of death: 23 November 1991<\/li>\n
    6. Pavitovi\u0107, Savo (-), born 1 January 1947,
      \ndate of death: 25 November 1991<\/li>\n
    7. Vico, Nedeljka (Luka), born 13 May 1938,
      \ndate of death: 22 November 1991<\/li>\n
    8. Vico, Nikola (Marko), born 7 February 1933 \/ 12 February 1933,
      \ndate of death: 22 November 1991<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Other victims:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Amanovi\u0107, Radojka (Jovo), born 12 May 1940,
        \ndate of death: 29 February 1992<\/li>\n
      2. Arseni\u0107, Spomenka (Ana), born 25 March 1956,
        \ndate of death: 29 February 1992<\/li>\n
      3. Baleti\u0107, Veselko (-), born 1 January 1935,
        \ndate of death: 29 January 1992<\/li>\n
      4. Beki\u0107, Dragan (Ilija), born 7 October 1931,
        \ndate of death: 17 September 1991<\/li>\n
      5. Beki\u0107, Du\u0161an (Dragan), born 4 April 1954,
        \ndate of death: 17 September 1991<\/li>\n
      6. Bo\u0161njak, Du\u0161ko (Dragutin), born 5 May 1948,
        \ndate of death: 19 November 1991<\/li>\n
      7. \u010cu\u010da, Stevan (-), born -,
        \ndate of death: 13 April 1992 \/ 16 April 1992, circumstances
        \nof death not confirmed<\/li>\n
      8. Drpi\u0107, Janja (Simo), born 10 October 1910,
        \ndate of death: 12 March 1992<\/li>\n
      9. Drpi\u0107, Radoslav (Bo\u017eo), born 4 August 1939,
        \ndate of death: 12 March 1992<\/li>\n
      10. \u0110eki\u0107, Milorad (Novak), born 12 October 1957,
        \ndate of death: 1 August 1991<\/li>\n
      11. Golu\u017ea, Zoran (Ante), born 5 December 1965,
        \ndate of death: 26 November 1991<\/li>\n
      12. Kne\u017eevi\u0107, Milan (Stevo), born 22 November 1947,
        \ndate of death: 1 July 1991 (Killed in Tenja, together with Josip Reihl Kir and Goran Zobund\u017eija)<\/li>\n
      13. Lazi\u0107, Stevan (Petar), born 26 December 1945,
        \ndate of death: 15 May 1992<\/li>\n
      14. Li\u010dina, Nikola (Nikola), born 2 February 1961,
        \ndate of death: 30 December 1991<\/li>\n
      15. Mitrovi\u0107, \u010cedomir\/\u010cedo (-), born 1 January 1936,
        \ndate of death: 20 May 1992<\/li>\n
      16. Patkovi\u0107, Mile (Nikola), born 8 November 1940,
        \ndate of death: 6 January 1992<\/li>\n
      17. Petkovi\u0107, \u0110or\u0111e (Vojin), born 6 April 1946,
        \ndate of death: 7 September 1991<\/li>\n
      18. Pokrajac, Zdravko (Mirko), born 27 May 1958,
        \ndate of death: 1 August 1991<\/li>\n
      19. Romi\u0107, Njegoslav (Joco), born 12 July 1939,
        \ndate of death: 17 September 1991<\/li>\n
      20. Rusi\u0107, Milenko (-), born 15 May 1930,
        \ndate of death: 5 December 1991<\/li>\n
      21. Stankovi\u0107, Dobrivoje (-), born 22 February 1931,
        \ndate of death: 14 June 1992<\/li>\n
      22. Stojnovi\u0107, Mirko (\u017divko), born 1 January 1934 \/ 1 January 1935,
        \ndate of death: 5 December 1991<\/li>\n
      23. Vukas, \u0110uro (Stevo), born 4 November 1933,
        \ndate of death: 18 April 1992<\/li>\n
      24. Zari\u0107, \u010cedomir (Vlajko), born 17 January 1954,
        \ndate of death: 8 December 1991<\/li>\n
      25. Zari\u0107, Vlajko (-), born 1 January 1933,
        \ndate of death: 8 December 1991<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Judicial consequences:<\/strong> On 8 May 2009, the War Crimes Chamber of the County Court in Zagreb delivered a verdict declaring the accused Branimir Glava\u0161, Ivica Krnjak, Gordana Geto\u0161 Magdi\u0107, Dino Konti\u0107, Tihomir Valenti\u0107, and Zdravko Dragi\u0107 guilty of committing a war crime against the civilian population in Osijek in 1991. Branimir Glava\u0161 was sentenced to ten years in prison. On 2 June 2010, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia reduced the prison sentences handed down in the first-instance ruling, sentencing Branimir Glava\u0161 to eight years’ imprisonment, Ivica Krnjak to seven years, Gordana Geto\u0161 Magdi\u0107 to five years, Dino Konti\u0107 to three years and six months, Tihomir Valenti\u0107 to four years and six months, and Zdravko Dragi\u0107 to three years and six months. At the beginning of 2015, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia overturned the Supreme Court verdict by which Branimir Glava\u0161 had been sentenced to eight years in prison for war crimes. Branimir Glava\u0161 was released from custody, which he had been serving in a prison in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia did not assess the merits of the conviction, dealing only with procedural issues, the release of the primary convict, Branimir Glava\u0161, did not serve justice for the victims or for the majority of the other convicts, all of whom had already served their prison terms. Following this decision, Glava\u0161, although convicted in the first-instance for crimes against civilians, became a member of the newly constituted Croatian Parliament, a move that was opposed by numerous civil society organisations who called for legislative changes. On 16 October 2017, the County Court in Zagreb commenced proceedings in the retrial of the case \u201cGlava\u0161 et al.\u201d by reading out the indictment. The accused, who had in the meantime served their sentences, declared that they did not consider themselves guilty of the charges laid out in the indictment. On 27 October 2023, the County Court in Zagreb once again found Branimir Glava\u0161 guilty of committing a war crime against Serbian civilians in Osijek during the Homeland War, for which he had already served the majority of his previous sentence. The appeals process is ongoing.<\/p>\n

        Proceedings were also conducted before the County Court in Osijek against Fred Margu\u0161 and others (indictment of the County State Attorney’s Office in Osijek no. K-DO-54\/05 dated 26 April 2006). On 21 March 2007, the War Crimes Chamber of the County Court in Osijek found the accused Margu\u0161 and Dilber guilty and sentenced them to imprisonment. The accused Margu\u0161 was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Dilber was sentenced to three years. The Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia amended the verdict of the County Court in Osijek and imposed a 15-year prison sentence on the accused Margu\u0161. The verdict against Tomislav Dilber was upheld.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-1475","zlocini","type-zlocini","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOsijek - Srpsko Narodno Vije\u0107e - SNV<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/snv.hr\/en\/zlocini\/osijek\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Osijek - Srpsko Narodno Vije\u0107e - SNV\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"location: According to the 2011 population census, Osijek had 83,496 inhabitants, of whom 979, or 0.91%, were Serbs. 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