ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - Commenting on topical events, President Stjepan Mesic said on Monday the Croatian judiciary was independent as evidenced also by the war crimes trial of the so-called Gospic Group at Rijeka County
Court.
ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - Commenting on topical events, President
Stjepan Mesic said on Monday the Croatian judiciary was independent
as evidenced also by the war crimes trial of the so-called Gospic
Group at Rijeka County Court. #L#
Judges who do not rule according to someone's expectations cannot
be recused, Mesic said on state radio. He said the conviction in the
Gospic Group case could be appealed only in court and that it was
good that the majority of Croatia's population realised this.
"One cannot block traffic and claim it isn't harmful," Mesic said,
adding that the organisers of protests against the guilty verdict
would realise that as well or hurt the summer tourist season.
"The protests were short-lived and I think Croatia's reputation as
a tourist country hasn't been undermined, but it could be if roads
are blocked again."
Mesic declined to say who were the political masterminds behind the
protests, claiming that their messages indicated who they were.
As for threats made against top state officials, the president said
"they should be taken with reservation and a dose of seriousness".
He also said security services were doing a good job. "Threats are
always being made, but those who intend to do something usually do
not make them."
(hina) ha sb