ZAGREB, May 9 (Hina) - Amendments to the Criminal Law, that the government forwarded to parliamentary procedure in its final version on Thursday, would introduce house arrest as well as sanctions for judges who do not make a ruling
within 15 days of a trial's end.
ZAGREB, May 9 (Hina) - Amendments to the Criminal Law, that the
government forwarded to parliamentary procedure in its final
version on Thursday, would introduce house arrest as well as
sanctions for judges who do not make a ruling within 15 days of a
trial's end. #L#
The amendments further propose that investigating judges be
authorised to make rulings for criminal acts for sentences up to
three years of imprisonment.
Individual judges would also be given more power and they could
deliberate without a jury and pass sentences for criminal acts
where the prescribed sanction is imprisonment up to five years.
Justice Minister Ingrid Anticevic-Marinovic said that significant
changes to the law refer to the legal status of the state
prosecutor. The state prosecutor would be responsible to
investigate criminal acts and refer investigations to be executed
by the police. This would firmly oblige the state prosecution and
police to co-operate.
Amendments are also proposed for detention, where sentences for the
most serious crimes would be extended to three years, while those
for misdemeanours would be decreased.
The government also sent a bill on the Law on Lotteries to
parliamentary procedure but it has backed down from its original
intention of completely prohibiting bets on local soccer games.
Namely, following a Sabor debate, the proposal to completely
prohibit betting was withdrawn and the bill was modified so that
bookies cannot at the same time be owners of or shareholders in
sporting clubs. This would refer to all sporting games and not just
soccer.
The government remained steadfast with its decision that the media
cannot organise lotteries, with the exception of self-promotion.
The division of profits from lotteries will not be treated as
revenue into the state budget but will be earmarked directly for
humanitarian and social welfare purposes, sporting activities
etc.
(hina) sp sb