9

Bombing of Oil and Oil Product Depots

Smederevo (29 April 1999)

Novi Sad (4 May 1999)

Niš (5 May 1999)

On May 5, 1999, at 10:08 p.m., seven missiles were fired at the residential and industrial zone in the north-east part of the town of Niš. Three missiles hit and completely demolished the following NIS "Jugopetrol" facilities: fuel tanks, a pump station and vehicle unloading plant and installation, whereas the administration building, auxiliary warehouse, oil warehouse, 6 oil tanks, tank protection belt, railway tracks inside the compound, railway unloading point, administration building annex, gatehouse and fire-fighting material storage, dispatching centre and warehouse with installations for oil and lubricants were considerably damaged. Four missiles hit the facilities of "Energogas" and completely destroyed the gas tanks, compressor pump station, air tank and water tank, whereas other facilities sustained considerable damage. Missile fragments damaged the following industrial facilities: "Angropromet", RJ "Hemikalija", DD "Jugotehnika", DD "Gradjevinar" and DP "Pomoravlje". Numerous industrial facilities on Vazduhoplovna Street in Niš were also damaged. Among them are: "Mak-promet" administration building, PP "Nini", PP "Ekolinea", PP "Agrohim", the transformer station providing power supply for the entire part of the town, HK "Bambi", PP "Prorad", DOO "Nikom", DO "Sigma", the building in the civilian part of the Niš airport, VDV "Južna Morava", DO "Izolacija". Also considerably damaged were a large number of houses and apartment blocks located in that part of the town. (photos 56 )

Prahovo (7 May 1999)

Niš (8 May 1999)

Niš (11 May 1999)

Bor (15 and 17 May 1999)

Kri. 23/99

REPORT

Made on 17 May 1999 by Dragan Bajinović, investigative judge of the Municipal Court in Bor, after the NATO bombing of the "Jugopetrol" office in Bor

Present:

Investigative judge: Dragan Bajinović

District of Bor Public Prosecutor: Momčilo Dimitrijević

Crime technician, Secretariat of the Interior: Saša Stanković

Started at 4:15 p.m.

After the bombing of "Jugopetrol" oil storage tanks and fuel installations in Bor, which took place at about 3:30 p.m., the Municipal Court investigative judge Ika Jašarević, a cameraman from Foto Braca, the above mentioned persons, and I went to investigate under air raid alert.

The site is the "Jugopetrol" office in Bor, and the section of the so-called Slatinski put, which is on the road Bor Zaječar. The site is secured by the Bor police forces.

It is evident that all the oil storage tanks, water tank, management building, reloading installation, pipes, auxiliary buildings, and warehouse have been damaged and practically destroyed, while the management building is completely demolished. Farther details on the destruction can be found in the Municipal Court in Bor, in file Kri. 21/99, and in the On-Site Investigation Report, dated 17 May 1999, with its enclosures.

A 120 m-long section of the road Bor Slatina is impassable because of a crater made by the missile on the right side of the carriageway, when facing Slatina, and farther on towards Slatina, because of the rubble from the destroyed "Jugopetrol" management building. The rubble is mostly concentrated in the level of the management building, since this road section is only 30 meters away from the former "Jugopetrol" management building. The mentioned crater is opposite to the oil storage tank P-2, which is about 9 meters from the left side of the road, when facing Slatina, and it is about 13 meters from the main entrance to the depot. The crater looks like an irregular shaped funnel, 1 meter deep and 3 meters wide at its top. Its right side, when facing Slatina, extends as deformed asphalt. The land on the right side of the road in the level of this crater is rough and the trees within 50 meters are broken.

In the level of the former "Jugopetrol" management building, on the right side of the road when facing Slatina, and at a distance of about 30-40 meters from the mentioned crater in the asphalt, there is a milling machine trailer toppled onto its right side. Its registration plate SO Bor/401 had once been fixed to the rear side of the IMT 509 milling machine, which is also turned over onto its right side. The front part of this milling machine, i.e. its transmission and engine, has been ripped off and thrust to the right of the road, to a distance of 7 meters from the road right edge.

A male corpse has been found on the road at the right rear corner of the mentioned trailer among the scattered rubble. The corpse is in an unnatural position, lying on the back, the head is covered with blood, and there is an entrance wound on the forehead and an exit wound on the back of the head. The right arm is covered with a plank, which was used as a seat in the trailer. The clothes and head of the body are covered with dust, and there are pieces of rubble on some body parts, especially on the legs.

During the investigation Jugoslav Lapadatović, from Krivelj, ID No. 59332 issued by SUP Bor, came by and recognized the body of the 50 years old Dragoslav Grujić, from Krivelj.

There was another IMT 506 milling machine in the milling machine trailer, as well as 8 hoes, a scythe, iron fork, 5 bags with food, some clothes, drinks, and several broken bottles. A men's dressing case with 70 DM, 60.10 Dinars, and a pack of Morava cigarettes, was found to the right of the vehicle, as well as a hoe with a broken handle, a plastic bag with 1.5 kg of coffee in it, a 5 litre plastic can full of petrol, and an empty plastic can. The investigative judge took the money, men's dressing case, cigarettes, coffee and can containing petrol, while the remaining objects were handed to Jugoslav Lapatović, from Krivelj.

Dr. Slavica Bećarević, a specialist of the medical centre in Bor, was present at the site as a medical representative. She examined the body externally and beyond any doubt established the cause of Dragoslav Grujić's death. It was also established that Jugoslav Lapadatović, Slaviša Lapadatović, Ljiljana Milošević and Nina Stuparević, all from the village of Krivelj, had been injured and taken to the health centre in Bor.

The present crime technician photographed the specific details and a photo file was made, which constitutes an integral part of this report.

The video recording of this event is in the Municipal Court in Bor, kept in the file Kri. 21/99 together with the photo file.

The investigation ended at 7:00 p.m.

Investigative judge

(sgd) Dragan Bajinović

Kri. 23/99

MINUTES OF THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESS

made on 21 May 1999 before the investigative judge of the Municipal Court in Bor

Investigative Judge Witness

Dragan Bajinović Jugoslav Lapadatović

Court clerk Also present at the testimony:

Jovanka Žikić

Public Prosecutor

The Accused

Defense Counsel

Proceedings began at 9:00 a.m.

The attention of the witness was drawn to his duty to tell the truth and not to withhold anything; he was warned of the consequences of giving false testimony. He was also warned that he is under no obligation to answer specific questions likely to expose himself or a close relative to disgrace, considerable material damage or prosecution (Art. 229 of the Law on Criminal Procedure). The witness answered the general questions as follows:

1. Name and family name JUGOSLAV LAPADATOVIĆ

2. Father's name Milan

3. Occupation worker in the smeltery TIR in Bor

4. Domicile Krivelj

5. Place of birth Krivelj

6. Date of birth 40 years old

7. Relationship to the accused or the wronged party: none

With regard to the case the witness stated the following:

On 17 May 1999 my cousin Slaviša Lapadatović, my neighbour Dragoslav Grujić, his daughter Ljiljana Milošević, Nina Stuparević, two women and I were working in a vineyard in the village of Brestovac. After we had finished the work the two women remained in Brestovac while we left for Krivelj. Jugoslav was driving the IMT 509 milling machine, no, my cousin Slaviša was driving the IMT 509 and the others were sitting in the milling machine trailer. There were two benches in the trailer. Ljiljana Milošević was sitting on the first bench to the left while I was sitting to the right. Nina was sitting on the second bench to the left and Dragoslav was sitting to the right. There were also hoes, a scythe, a fork, and bags with some food and clothes in the trailer. In the same trailer, in front of us, was my IMT 506 milling machine. We decided not to take the route from Brestovac to Krivelj that goes through the town of Bor, because we would make a traffic jam, so we took the main road and the route via Oštrelj. When we reached the "Jugopetrol" grounds in Bor, Slaviša slowed down so that we could see the consequences of the previous bombing of the "Jugopetrol depot" and building in Bor, however, he didn't stop. At the moment when we were just opposite of the "Jugopetrol" management building I suddenly heard a terrible explosion and there was smoke in front of me. We were suddenly surrounded by darkness and I ducked down because I was aware they were bombing again. I was unconscious for some time and when I came through I noticed that I was lying on the ground on my right side and that Dragoslav's head was over my legs. I immediately knew he was dead.

I wish to clarify something. The first detonation happened while we were still sitting in the milling machine trailer and it was soon after followed by another one, when I fainted.

After I had seen Dragoslav's head on my legs I heard Ljiljana's and Nina's cries for help. They were saying their legs had been torn, and my brother Slaviša said he was dying. I was petrified and I didn't know what to do, but I managed to get up. When Ljiljana tried to reach her father I took her aside. Soon after two men in uniforms arrived and immediately after them a man in a Lada Niva. I noticed that my cousin had a wound on his left flank, which was bleeding and some foam was coming out. I tried to stop this with my hand. I first carried him to the Lada Niva, then Nina, and then I entered it. The two men in uniform took Ljiljana into their car and we all went to the hospital in Bor.

I have cuts on my head and on the left side of my stomach, and my right shoulder is concussed from these detonations. I am still feeling very bad, I am distressed and concussed and I feel mental strain.

I don't know in what condition is my milling machine IMT 506 and whether it is damaged, since I didn't examine it nor did I turn it on.

We hadn't heard any air raid alert siren prior to this event, probably because of the noise made by the milling machine.

I wish to mention that since this event I fear of darkness, which I never did before. I am handing you a copy of the specialist's report dated 17 May 1999 and I am keeping the original.

That is all.

The minutes were dictated in my presence, so I heard them. They were read to me again and I am signing them without any objection.

Concluded at 9:40 a.m.

Witness' signature

Recording clerk Investigative Judge

(signed) (signed)

Kri. 23/99

MINUTES OF THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESS

made on 2 June 1999 before the investigative judge of the Municipal Court in Bor in the criminal proceedings v. unknown perpetrators.

Investigative Judge Witness

Dragan Bajinović Ljiljana Milošević

Court clerk Also present at the testimony:

Jovanka Žikić

Public Prosecutor

The Accused

Defense Counsel

Proceedings began at 10:25 a.m.

The attention of the witness was drawn to her duty to tell the truth and not to withhold anything; she was warned of the consequences of giving false testimony. She was also warned that she is under no obligation to answer specific questions likely to expose herself or a close relative to disgrace, considerable material damage or prosecution (Art. 229 of the Law on Criminal Procedure). The witness answered the general questions as follows:

1. Name and family name LJILJANA MILOŠEVIĆ

2. Father's name Dragoslav

3. Occupation housewife

4. Domicile Krivelj

5. Place of birth Krivelj

6. Date of birth 25 years old

7. Relationship to the accused or the wronged party: the late Dragoslav is her father

With regard to the case the witness stated the following:

Attention was brought of the witness that according to Article 227 of the Law on Criminal Procedure she has the right not to testify. However, she refused to use this right, and after being warned she gave the following statement:

On 17 May 1999 we were doing the vineyard in the village of Brestovac. After having finished work we were returning to the village of Krivelj. Slaviša Lapadatović was driving the milling machine and I was sitting on the first bench in the trailer on the left side, while Jugoslav Lapadatović was sitting on its right side. Nina Stuparević was sitting on the left side of the bench behind us, and my late father Dragoslav Grujić was sitting on its right side. We could reach Krivelj either via the town of Bor or by taking the main road around it, via the village of Oštrelj. They decided to take the latter route because there was less traffic and fewer ups and downs on it.

The route was not dangerous since there were no military installations or troops along it. We didn't hear any air raid siren nor did we hear the noise of planes.

When we were in the level of the Jugopetrol management building in Bor, which was to our left, and the road passes immediately next to it and the depots, I heard a terrible explosion after which I fainted. When I came through I found myself lying on the ground next to the road. I started to cry and shout. Nina was on the ground next to me while Jugoslav managed to get up. I could see that my father was dead. Then the "Jugopetrol" guards arrived and they warned us to take shelter since there might be another attack. We withdrew to the right, to the stream where they have a shelter. After that Slaviša, Jugoslav and Nina were driven away in a Lada Niva to the hospital while one of the guards took me there in his car Jugo.

I was treated in the hospital for 12 days because my collarbone was dislocated and I had a fragment in my left thigh, which was removed by surgery. I also had several minor injuries on my head.

My father Dragoslav Grujić had several injuries, however, the one in the region of the head was lethal. My father and I lived in the same household. He was born on 24 April 1950 in Gornjan and he was Serb. He worked at the ore excavation site in Veliki Krivelj. He left my mother, to whom he was married, my brother, who is older than me, and me. I didn't see the moment when he died but he did die on that occasion.

That is all that I have to say.

The minutes were dictated in my presence, so I heard them and I am signing them without any objection.

Concluded at 10:45 a.m.

Witness' signature

Recording clerk Investigative Judge

(signed) (signed)

Kri. 23/99

MINUTES OF THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESS

made on 2 June 1999 before the investigative judge of the Municipal Court in Bor in the criminal proceedings v. unknown perpetrators.

Investigative Judge Witness

Dragan Bajinović Nina Stuparević

Court clerk Also present at the testimony:

Jovanka Žikić

Public Prosecutor

The Accused

Defense Counsel

Proceedings began at 10:50 a.m.

1. Name and family name NINA STUPAREVIĆ

2. Father's name Simeon

3. Occupation housewife

4. Domicile Krivelj

5. Place of birth Bor

6. Date of birth 22 years old

7. Relationship to the accused or the wronged party: none

With regard to the case the witness stated the following:

That day, 17 May 1999 at about 3:30 p.m., while we were on our way home from Brestovac to Krivelj and passing by the "Jugopetrol" depot and management building, I heard a strong detonation after which I fainted. When I came through I was choking from the smoke and dust. I wish to add that there are no military facilities or troops in the vicinity. I grabbed Ljiljana, who had also managed to get up, and we both started to scream. I know that Jugoslav and Slaviša Lapadatović also got up and that Dragoslav Grujić was dead. The "Jugopetrol" guards took us towards their shelter and they later took Slaviša, Jugoslav and me to the hospital in some Lada Niva. Ljiljana was taken there in another car.

We took the main road for Krivelj via Oštrelj, though we had the alternative via the town. They decided to take the former because it is better and without ups and downs. On that occasion Slaviša Lapadatović was driving the milling machine, Ljiljana Milošević was sitting on the left side of the front bench and Jugoslav Lapadatović was sitting on its right side. I was sitting behind them on the second bench and Dragoslav Grujić was sitting to my right. The road passes very near the "Jugopetrol" management building, and the building and the depots were to our left.

On that occasion my head was injured and a fragment penetrated the muscles of my right thigh. I am still being treated for the injuries.

I didn't notice how Dragoslav Grujić was killed but I do know that he died instantly.

That is all that I have to say.

The minutes were dictated in my presence, so I heard them and I am signing them without any objection.

Concluded at 11:00 a.m.

Witness' signature

Recording clerk Investigative Judge

(signed) (signed)

Kri. 23/99

MINUTES OF THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESS

made on 16 June 1999 before the investigative judge of the Municipal Court in Bor in the criminal proceedings v. unknown perpetrators.

Investigative Judge Witness

Dragan Bajinović Slaviša Lapadatović

Court clerk Also present at the testimony:

Jovanka Žikić

Public Prosecutor

The Accused

Defense Counsel

Proceedings began at 11:10 a.m.

1. Name and family name SLAVIŠA LAPADATOVIĆ

2. Father's name Sima

3. Occupation worker at the ore excavation site

4. Domicile Krivelj

5. Place of birth Krivelj

6. Date of birth 17 September 1961

7. Relationship to the accused or the wronged party: none

With regard to the case the witness stated the following:

On 17 May 1999 at about 3:30 p.m. we were returning from Brestovac, since we finished the digging in the vineyard at the request of Dragoslav Grujić. Whenever I am in that area with my milling machine I take the Bor roundabout road, via Oštrelj, because it is the main road and the terrain it goes through is flat, i.e. there are no steep sections. When I take the route through the town I have a steep section from Bor to Krivelj. Since I was driving my IMT 509 milling machine I decided to take the roundabout road. My cousin Jugoslav Lapadatović was with me, as well as Ljiljana Milošević, Dragoslav Grujić, and Nina Stuparević, who were all sitting on improvised benches in the milling machine trailer.

None of us heard any air raid sirens nor did we hear planes. Suddenly, when we were in the level of the "Jugopetrol" management building in Bor, where there are no military installations or troops in its vicinity, there was a terrible explosion that thrust me from the milling machine to the ground. I thought we had met our ends. Immediately after that I heard another explosion and that was the last one I heard. I remember I got up and said to Jugoslav "I'm done!" He tried to comfort me. He noticed that my back in the level of the flanks was injured and that I was bleeding. While he was helping me a man in a white Lada Niva arrived and I entered this vehicle, and so did Jugoslav and Nina. That man drove us at full speed to the health centre in Bor. I remember that they cut my clothes there, since I had dressed heavily that morning because it was cold. Then they made an X-ray after which I fainted. I awoke the following morning to be told that I had been operated on and that the surgery lasted 3 hours. They told me that they had taken out a piece of brick, in the size of 12 x 5 cm, from my flank and that 4 of my ribs in that region had been broken. I have been discharged from the hospital today.

I still haven't seen my milling machine IMT 509 but I was told that it is shattered and practically broken into two.

I don't know how Dragoslav Grujić was killed because he was back in the trailer. I didn't notice him afterwards since I was badly injured, too. However, I do know that we were all injured on that occasion.

That is all that I have to say.

The minutes were dictated in my presence, so I heard them and I am signing them without any objection.

Concluded at 11:15 a.m.

Witness' signature

Recording clerk Investigative Judge

(signed) (signed)

HEALTH CENTER IN BOR

No. 27/99

3 June 1999

On request of the Public Prosecutor's Office for the municipality of Bor, and on grounds of the medical records, the Health Centre in Bor is issuing the following

MEDICAL REPORT FINDINGS

The patient Jugoslav Lapadatović, from the village of Krivelj, was injured on 17 May 1999 in Bor and he was examined in our Centre on 17 May 1999.

DG: Excoriatio reg. femoralis et tegmenti abdominalis et brachii lat. dex. (Skin on the left thigh, part of the abdomen, and on the right upper arm is abraded).

No other injuries were found.

Bor, 6 June 1999 (sgd) Dr. Miodrag Mihajlović

surgeon

HEALTH CENTER IN BOR

General Hospital

No. 28

3 June 1999

On request of the Public Prosecutor's Office for the municipality of Bor, and on grounds of the medical and other records, as well as the case history No. 02318/412, the Surgery Ward of the Health Centre in Bor is issuing the following

REPORT CERTIFICATE

Slaviša Lapadatović has been treated in the Surgery Ward of the Health Center in Bor for a blast injury (missile). He was admitted to the Surgery Ward on 17 May 1999 with the following injuries:

1. Vulnus explosivum penetrans hemithoracis lat sin cum fractura costarum mulitipliers (IV, V, VI, et VII) lat sin.

(Blast wound on the left side of the thorax with penetration of the left lung lobe and rib fractures).

2. VLC reg. occipitalis (Laceration of the scalp in the occipital region).

No other injuries were found.

Bor, 3 June 1999 Head of the Surgery Ward

(sgd) Dr. Miodrag Mihajlović

General practice specialist surgeon

MEDICAL CENTER IN BOR

General Hospital

No. 2/262

3 June 1999

LJILJANA MILOŠEVIĆ, from Krivelj

DG: VULNERA EXPLOSIVUM FEMORIS LAT. SIN. ET CAPITIS

LUXATIO ART. ACROMIO CLAVICULARIS LAT. DEX.

VLC REGIO DORSI LAT. DEX.

CORPUS ALIENUM METALICUM FEMORIS LAT SIN

OP: EXTRACTIO CORPUS ALIENUM

Description: a blast wound on the left thigh, medially, laterally, oblique. Entrance wound is 8-9 cm extending downwards from the front.

Several abrasions on the head.

Bruised lacerations in the entire region of the right shoulder blade. The lacerations range from damaged cuticle, to damaged subcutaneous tissue, and damaged muscles.

DG: Left upper leg: presence of a foreign body, a piece of metal, above the left knee, which is the size of a plum.

Dislocation of the acromio-clavicular joint.

The soft tissue structures in the left upper leg and in the right shoulder region are damaged. This is considered a minor injury with a remark that there has been complete mental disorientation with seizures of fear when the air raid siren goes on. Depressed because of father's death.

Bor, 3 June 1999 (sgd) Dr. Slobodan B. Kitanović

Specialist for orthopaedics,

surgery and traumatism

MEDICAL CENTER IN BOR

General Hospital

No. 2/262

3 June 1999

NINA STUPAREVIĆ, from Krivelj, born in 1977

DG: VULNUS EXPLOSIVUM FEMORIS. LAT. DEX.

Description: a piercing explosive wound on the right thigh, anterior. The entry wound goes from interior to exterior; it is oblique and goes downwards. The entry wound was the size of a child palm and had irregular edges. There is earth, some wooden chips, sand, etc.

The entire front side of the right thigh has many small wounds, the result of an explosion. They range in size from a corn seed to the size of a cherry.

The patient is a nursing mother who has also experienced a major mental shock.

Soft tissue injuries, considered as minor injury.

Psychiatrist opinion required.

Bor, 3 June 1999 (sgd) Dr. Slobodan B. Kitanović

Specialist for orthopaedics,

surgery and traumatism

Prahovo (17 May 1999)