BOSNIA TERROR SUSPECT SAYS HE ORDERED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES MANUAL ON INTERNET
BBC Monitoring International Reports - November 17, 2006 Friday

Text of report by "A.Dj." entitled "Bektasevic said he liked pistols, knives, and nature", published by the Bosnian Serb newspaper Nezavisne novine on 17 November

Sarajevo: Swedish citizen Mirsad Bektasevic (19 years old), the first defendant in a terrorist case in Bosnia-Hercegovina, was heard in court yesterday in the capacity of a witness.

During his testimony, which lasted for hours, Bektasevic said that on two occasions last year he bought two pistols for 1,000 convertible marks, one of which had a silencer. He bought the pistols from Amir Bajric, and on the second delivery he also received a certain amount of explosives, "which he did not reques". Bajric was given a two-year sentence several months ago, after pleading guilty and reaching a settlement with the prosecutor. He was charged with illegal possession of 20 kilograms of explosives, which were supposed to be used in a terrorist attack; Bektasevic and his accomplices were accused of preparing the attack.

Apart from Bektasevic, Turkish citizen Abdulkadir Cesur (21) and Bosnian citizen Bajro Ikanovic (30) were also charged with terrorism. In addition to these, Senad Hasanovic (19), from Hadzici [near Sarajevo], has been charged with illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices. Bektasevic and Cesur have also been charged with obstructing officers in the course of their duty. All except Hasanovic have been in custody.

Bektasevic said yesterday that he was interested in pistols and knives, that he liked shooting and target practice with knives, and that he did that out in the country, adding that he "liked nature very much".

Bektasevic said yesterday that he had ordered through the Internet a manual for making explosive devices. He said that he also used the Internet to buy knives and camping equipment. He admitted that some "pentagonka hats" [balaclava] were his and that they could be bought legally in Sweden. He said that he had arrived in Sarajevo last October to spend the Ramadan holiday with his relatives. However, he did not stay with any of his relatives but in the hotel, and afterward, he rented an apartment. Asked by Prosecutor Ahmed Halebic where he got the money to come to Sarajevo, to rent an apartment, and to buy the pistols, the defendant said that he saved money while he was in Sweden.

Source: Nezavisne novine, Banja Luka, in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 17 Nov 06

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