SUPREME COURT HEAD WARNS ABOUT LACK OF SECURITY IN COURTS

ZAGREB, March 28 (Hina) - Croatian Supreme Court president Ivica Crnic on Thursday requested Justice Minister Ingrid Anticevic Marinovic to investigate if there were any omissions in the conduct of the court police during yesterday's incident at the Karlovac Municipal Court when a judge was threatened by a client. #L# In a letter to the minister Crnic says the latest incident indicates that judges have been exposed to a growing number of violent acts. "This incident must be taken very seriously because it indicates the growing presence of a climate in which individuals are taking the law into their own hands or believe that uncivilised and illegal acts are socially acceptable. Such conduct jeopardises the safety of citizens and officials, as well as the legal order, and must be prevented with all legal means," Crnic says. The Supreme Court president calls on judicial officials not to give in to violence but perform their duties responsibly and efficiently, thus contributing to the creation of a climate of legal security and trust in state institutions, as well as to protect civilians and legal persons from violence and wilful behaviour by applying an adequate penal policy. He also calls on citizens to contribute to creating an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for civil order. (hina) rml