LOCAL NGO UNSATISFIED WITH ACQUITTAL OF MURDER SUSPECTS

SPLIT, Sept 16 (Hina)- The Centre for Development of Democracy (CERD), a non-government organisation of citizens to promote democracy and human rights in Split, on Monday responded to an acquittal in the Sibenik court of suspects accused of a crime committed in Prokljan, expressing its dissatisfaction with Croatia's judiciary. #L# A crime was committed against disabled and elderly people in Prokljan for the simple reason that they were Serb nationals. These misfortunate people were not spared even though their grandchildren wore the same uniform as their murderers, a statement issued by CERD said. The local NGO described the claims by the Grand Council of Sibenik County Court that there is no material evidence as a mere lie and a farce. The Council is aware of this fact because testimonies by witnesses and particularly a soldier who happened to be at the spot where the crime took place, as well as statements given by the defendants during the investigation and reports by forensic experts, all confirm the crime and deny the shameful acquittal pronounced by the Court, the CERD statement noted. The statement was signed by the head of CERD office in Split, Semina Loncar. (hina) sp ms sb