MOSTAR COURT ANNOUNCES VERDICT FOR MAN WHO KILLED 3 CROATS THU.

MOSTAR, March 12 (Hina) - The Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Court will on Thursday announce its verdict against Muamer Topalovic, accused of killing three members of a returnee Croat family, the Andjelics, from Kostajnica near Konjic last Christmas Eve, the president of the trial chamber in charge of the case, Hamo Kebo, said on Wednesday at the end of a three-day hearing. #L# Canton prosecutor Mirsad Resulovic said in his summation that Topalovic should receive harsh and long-term punishment so that possible similar crimes could be averted. Explaining his request, the prosecutor said that Topalovic committed the triple murder for "religious and ethnic motives" using the greatest Catholic holiday to kill three Croats without any reason. Topalovic said that his having admitted to the murder should be of great relevance for the sentence as, he said, there would not have been any trial had he not admitted the crime. He voiced regret over the murder, apologising and extending condolences to the Andjelic family. (hina) rml sb