SPLIT: WAR VETERANS HOLD RALLY IN SUPPORT OF DETAINED POLICE

SPLIT, Jan 30 (Hina) - The Croatian Disabled Homeland War Veterans' Association (HVIDR) on Wednesday organised a peaceful protest in front of a Split court in support of seven former military police officers who are held in custody on suspicion of having committed war crimes at the city's Lora military prison in 1992. The suspects have been on a hunger strike for nine days, demanding they be allowed to defend themselves in freedom. There were no speeches at the rally, one state flag was displayed and the protesters sang patriotic songs. The gathered were mostly HVIDR members and their families. HVIDR leaders told reporters there was not a single piece of evidence that the seven indictees had committed war crimes. The protest was also held in support of seven Split residents who have been on hunger strike for five days in front of a town church. The strikers were visited today by county prefect Branko Luksic and his deputy Tadija Barun. They brought the strikers juice and told them their act was justified and to endure as long as their conscience told them. (hina) sb rml