RIJEKA, Jan 16 (Hina) - The commander and first mate of the Boka Star ship, aboard which 208 tonnes of gunpowder were discovered while it was docked in Rijeka last October, were released from custody on Thursday.
RIJEKA, Jan 16 (Hina) - The commander and first mate of the Boka Star
ship, aboard which 208 tonnes of gunpowder were discovered while it
was docked in Rijeka last October, were released from custody on
Thursday. #L#
Commander Josip Nikolic and first mate Damir Balabusic are free
based on the new Law on Criminal Procedure, which came into force
this January 1, their attorney Milorad Macesic said in the northern
Adriatic port.
New provisions stipulate that the acts Nikolic and Balabusic were
suspected of call for shorter court proceedings and detention which
must not exceed 60 days, said Macesic.
Nikolic and Balabusic were put in custody on 30 October 2002,
charged on suspicion of unauthorised possession and supply of
military explosive, evading customs control, and forging
documents.
An investigation established that papers on the ship's cargo did
not match the actual cargo, nor did documents regarding the ship.
Investigating judge Dina Brusic interrogated every member of the
crew, who were allowed to return to Yugoslavia, their homeland,
last December.
Attorney Macesic said the investigation would resume on January 21
with the interrogation of witnesses. Nikolic and Balabusic will
attend.
Croatia's Office for the Prevention of Corruption and Organised
Crime is in charge of the probe.
(hina) ha sb