ROZIC TRIAL BEFORE ZAGREB COUNTY COURT ADJOURNED FOR 9 OCTOBER

ZAGREB, July 21 (Hina) - The trial of Ivica Rozic (41), which commenced at the Zagreb County Court on Monday morning, will continue on 9 October. Rozic, accused of having planted explosive devices in houses of ethnic Serb returnees in the area of Lika from 1996 to 1998, pleaded not guilty in his initial appearance before the Zagreb County Court's panel of judges this morning. #L# The main hearing commenced with the presentation of the indictment which alleges that Rozic, aka White Wolf, planted 14 booby traps in houses, yards and gardens of Serb returnees. As a result, five persons were killed, four sustained serious injuries and several light wounds. Entering a not-guilty plea, the accused said his innocence would be proved just as it was in the trial in Rijeka. In late March this year, the County Court in the seaport of Rijeka acquitted Rozic, who had been tried as a member of the so-called Gospic Group indicted for war crimes against civilians in the town of Gospic in the autumn of 1991. He was detained in custody for two and a half years for the Gospic Group trial. He was released, but in May this year he was transferred into the Remetinec detention centre in Zagreb where he waited for the commencement of the main hearing before the Zagreb County Court that is trying him for planting booby traps. After reading out the Rozic indictment this morning, Deputy Zagreb County Prosecutor Ivica Ovcar suggested to the panel of judges, presided by Miroslav Sovanj, to interview a score of witnesses, introduce many documents as pieces of evidence, and allow Rozic's examination by a psychiatrist as it was established during the trial in Rijeka that he was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The main hearing is adjourned for 9 October. (hina) ms