Mušan Topalović

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Mušan Topalović a.k.a "Caco" (born 1957 - died October 26, 1993 born and died in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) was commander of the 10th Mountain Brigade in the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Caco was also a smuggler, thief and gangster inside the besieged capital Sarajevo. Topalović was also formerly a rock musician.

Caco only became a brigade commander because of the confusion of the Yugoslav secession crisis in the spring of 1992. He managed to form his own brigade while the Bosnian government pursued a peaceful resolution. His brigade was infamous for rounding up citizens and forcing them to dig defensive positions in his areas of responsibility.

[edit] Death

Caco's excesses led the Bosnian government to attempt to arrest him on October 26, 1993. During the operation, Caco and a few of his associates killed 9 police officers; Caco later surrendered and was subsequently shot to death by their comrades. Caco's brother Emir, brother-in-law Behudin and another soldier were arrested, but have all been released.

A total of 18 people were killed on that day by Caco and in the attempt to arrest him: police officers Admir Hebib (1969-1993), Kemal Kojić (1960-1993), Dragan Miljanović (1967-1993), Slaven Markešić (1965-1993), Srđan Bosiljčić (1963-1993), Elvir Šovšić (1974-1993), Hamid Humić (1959-1993), Jasmin Čamidžija (1968-1993) and Izet Karšić (1959-1993), eight civilians and Caco himself.

[edit] Funeral

Caco was buried in a grave marked NN close to the Sarajevo Olympic Stadium. In 1996 under pressure from various groups the Bosnian government revealed the location of his grave, and his remains were exhumed. On December 2, 1996 he was given a proper burial which was broadcast on television and attended by approximately 12,000 people in Sarajevo. He was buried in the cemetery for soldiers killed during the war.