The first Australian extradited to face war-crimes charges has told his trial in Croatia the accusations against him are lies.
The former Serbian paramilitary commander has entered a not-guilty plea on the first day of his trial, saying he was just protecting his homeland.
The long-awaited trial of Dragan Vasiljkovic has gotten underway in the Croatian city of Split after nearly a decade-long extradition battle.
The 61-year-old from Perth is accused of torturing and killing captive Croatian soldiers and police during his time as a Serbian paramilitary commander in the 1990s Balkan war.
In court, prosecutor Zivana Beros has outlined the case against him.
"He knew that Croatian civilians and prisoners were systematically beaten on a daily basis."
Mr Vaziljkovic has told the court prosecution witnesses will give false accounts.
"After those prisoners were exchanged, they were talking to the media, saying that Dragan treated them good and well. Now, 14 years later, all of a sudden, the same people 'remembered' that I was beating them."
Mr Vasiljkovic, also known by the military nickname Captain Dragan, was born in Serbia.
He migrated to Australia as a teenager, taking the name Daniel Snedden.
He returned to the Balkans when Serbs took up arms against Croatia's secession from Yugoslavia.
Mr Vasiljkovic has always denied committing war crimes, giving this defiant interview to SBS in 2009.
"Absolutely not. Not in my opinion, by the facts. And there is not a single supportive fact that can support any war-crimes accusations against me."
The one-time golf instructor went to court 13 times in an attempt to prevent his extradition from Australia.
"I believe, as an Australian citizen, that I should have been protected by this government."
He has been in custody since he was extradited in July last year.
He faces a 20-year prison sentence if convicted.
