GOVT SUGGESTS LIFE INSTEAD OF LONG-TERM IMPRISONMENT

ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - The introduction of life imprisonment instead of long-term jail and moving up statute of limitations deadlines are some novelties suggested in the final draft amendments to the Penal Code which the government sent into parliament on Thursday. #L# Between two readings of the draft, the government abandoned its motion of incrimination protecting the president's reputation. Justice Minister Ingrid Anticevic-Marinovic brushed off criticism by the public that the proposed law was draconian and increased repression. According to the amendments, a new criminal act would be introduced in the Penal Code, i.e. crime against humanity. The code would also have a provision on command responsibility and the notion of commander would expand to civilian superiors. Another new criminal act would be the glorification of former fascist states and organisations, but also the promotion of racist and xenophobic ideas. The crime envisages a fee or prison term of up to a year, as well as the compulsory seizure of objects or materials glorifying former fascist states or organisations. Possession of small amounts of narcotics for personal use would become a misdemeanour instead of an offence. Significant changes are also envisaged in the area of white-collar crime. (hina) lml sb