SPLIT, June 4 (Hina) - Ivic Pasalic was called on Tuesday to the witness stand at the Split County Court to respond to charges of fraud committed during the privatisation of the Split-based Slobodna Dalmacija daily in 1993.
SPLIT, June 4 (Hina) - Ivic Pasalic was called on Tuesday to the
witness stand at the Split County Court to respond to charges of
fraud committed during the privatisation of the Split-based
Slobodna Dalmacija daily in 1993. #L#
Pasalic is suspected of having talked former Splitska Banka
director Frano Mitrovic, in his capacity as Croatian Democratic
Union (HDZ) secretary-general and together with the government's
former commissioner for Dalmacija, Drago Krpina, into selling the
daily's shares illegally and below the adequate price to Miroslav
Kutle's Globus Holding in 1993.
Pasalic pleaded not guilty and told the investigating judge that he
had not abused his political position.
He told reporters after the questioning that he appeared in court
because it was his civil duty. "I have answered all questions put by
the State Prosecutor regarding the charges levelled against me. I
can only say that this is just another in a series of political
accusations which are completely unfounded," Pasalic said.
Small shareholders of "Slobodna Dalmacija" last year filed fraud
charges against Miroslav Kutle, as the principal suspect, and some
officials from the former state leadership and the daily's
management. Splitska Banka suffered at least 6,300,000 kuna of
damage in the deal.
Drago Krpina was also to testify today, but he sent a note saying he
was ill.
Miroslav Kutle yesterday told the investigating judge that he had
acted in line with the law and dismissed all charges from his
indictment.
(hina) rml sb