ARREST WARRANT ISSUED AFTER BUSINESSMAN SUSPECTED OF KIDNAPPING

ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - An arrest warrant has been issued and one month's detention set for Hrvoje Petrac, a Zagreb businessman suspected of inciting a nine-member gang to kidnap retired General Vladimir Zagorec's underage son, the Zagreb County Court said on Tuesday. #L# The decision to issue the arrest warrant and set detention was made by investigating judge Luburic, who is in charge of the Zagorec kidnapping case. The maximum penalty envisaged for kidnapping committed as part of a criminal group is 10 years in jail. The arrest warrant for Petrac covers Croatia. If there is information that he might be out of the country an international arrest warrant may be issued through Interpol. Petrac's attorney Marijan Pedisic has said on a number of occasions that his client is on a business trip. The Office for the Prevention of Corruption and Organised Crime suspects Petrac of organising a gang to kidnap Zagorec's son. The Zagreb County Court, however, ruled last week that he be investigated only for inciting to kidnap. Nine people are investigated in connection with the kidnapping, including Petrac's son Novica. Hrvoje Petrac and another three are at large while the rest are in custody. Zagorec's son Tomislav was kidnapped in Zagreb on February 23 and released after his father paid 750,000 euros, half the ransom money. (Hina) ha