ZADAR ZADAR, Jan 24 (Hina) - The County Court in the coastal town of Zadar on Wednesday renew a trial against Savo Grulovic (63), a Serb returnee in the village of Kistanje (the Zadar hinterland), accused of a crime he committed
against a prisoner of war in 1991. A few years ago a final ruling was made in the case of Grulovic, under which he was sentenced to five years and his son Zvonko Grulovic to seven years in prison for the same crime. They were tried in absentia. Upon his return to Croatia, Savo Grulovic used his legal right to renew the entire process, while his son has not come back. Under the indictment, Grulovic, who was a member of Serb rebels' police, caught a Croatian police officer, Marinko Jermen, and kept him in detention in Zemunik airbase for some twenty days. During his detention, Grulovic and his son physically abused and harassed Jermen. The crime was committed between 10 and 30 S
ZADAR, Jan 24 (Hina) - The County Court in the coastal town of Zadar
on Wednesday renew a trial against Savo Grulovic (63), a Serb
returnee in the village of Kistanje (the Zadar hinterland), accused
of a crime he committed against a prisoner of war in 1991.
A few years ago a final ruling was made in the case of Grulovic,
under which he was sentenced to five years and his son Zvonko
Grulovic to seven years in prison for the same crime. They were
tried in absentia.
Upon his return to Croatia, Savo Grulovic used his legal right to
renew the entire process, while his son has not come back.
Under the indictment, Grulovic, who was a member of Serb rebels'
police, caught a Croatian police officer, Marinko Jermen, and kept
him in detention in Zemunik airbase for some twenty days. During his
detention, Grulovic and his son physically abused and harassed
Jermen. The crime was committed between 10 and 30 September 1991.
In this way the Grulovics perpetrated a war crime and violated the
Geneva conventions.
On Wednesday, Jermen's wife, Davorka Jermen, gave a testimony
before the Zadar court. Policeman Jermen died last year.
According to Mrs. Jermen, her husband was tortured with different
objects and after the detention he came back home 'black and blue'.
He told her that Savo Grulovic and his son had tortured him.
The indictee pleaded not guilty and claimed he did not know Jermen
at all. He also added that he was a member of 'SAO Krajina' rebels
against his will.
The trial resumes on Thursday.
(hina) sb ms