ZAGREB, Aug 19 (Hina) - The Croatian Supreme Court has accepted anappeal by the State Prosecutor and revoked a verdict delivered by thecourt of first instance -- the Split County Court -- in the so-calledLora case under which eight
defendants, former military policeofficers were acquitted of war crimes against civilians, the SupremeCourt said in a statement on Thursday.
ZAGREB, Aug 19 (Hina) - The Croatian Supreme Court has accepted an
appeal by the State Prosecutor and revoked a verdict delivered by the court of
first instance -- the Split County Court -- in the so-called Lora case under
which eight defendants, former military police officers were acquitted of war
crimes against civilians, the Supreme Court said in a statement on
Thursday.The Supreme Court has returned the case to the court of first instance
for a re-trial, but the the trial must be held before a new panel of judges.
In November 2002, the County Court in Split acquitted Tomislav Duic,
Tonci Brkic, Miljenko Bajic, Josip Bikic, Davor Banic, Emilio Bungura, Ante
Gudic and Andjelko Botic of crimes against civilians. The trial lasted for six
months during which some 60 witnesses were took the stand, but witnesses from
Serbia and Montenegro were not heard because they failed to appear in court
even though subpoenaed on several occasions.