ICTY TO RULE ON TEMPORARY RELEASE FOR CROAT SUBSEQUENTLY

THE HAGUE, Feb 31 (Hina) - A Hague war crimes tribunal panel of judges presided by Chinese judge Liu Dagun heard a request for the temporary release of Croatian general Rahim Ademi at a 90-minute session on Friday, announcing a decision would be passed later. According to Ademi's attorney Cedo Prodanovic, all conditions have been met for the trial chamber to rule in favour of the release pending trial, the most important being the fact that Ademi turned himself in upon issuance of indictment and the necessary guarantees extended by the Croatian government. The guarantees were offered at the session by Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic, who said the government assumed full responsibility for Ademi's movements and was willing to meet any further condition demanded by the trial chamber. In a brief address to the judges, general Ademi pledged he would not betray the confidence of either the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) or the Croatian government and president, i.e. his supreme commander. In case the trial chamber rules in favour of the temporary release, Ademi said he would comply with all conditions. The prosecution objected to the release pending trial, citing as the biggest problem the fact that the Croatian government has still not arrested and extradited another Croatian general, Ante Gotovina, as well as the prosecution's discontent with the Croatian government's slowness in submitting documentation. Ademi has been in custody since July 25. He is charged on commanding responsibility with crimes committed against Serb civilians during the 1993 Pocket of Medak operation. (hina) ha sb