ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Retired general Mirko Norac told Croatian Television on Wednesday evening it had never been his intention to hide from the Croatian judiciary. A war crimes suspect, he turned himself in to the police in the
afternoon.
ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Retired general Mirko Norac told Croatian
Television on Wednesday evening it had never been his intention to
hide from the Croatian judiciary. A war crimes suspect, he turned
himself in to the police in the afternoon.#L#
In a statement aired during the prime-time news broadcast, Norac
thanked the entire Croatian public for the support given not only to
him but all Croatian war veterans.
"I also want to stress that it has never been my intention to hide
from the Croatian judiciary and the charges attributed to me. I
believe that in fighting for this state I fought for its judicial
institutions, while the charges levelled at me are entirely
unfounded and can easily be refuted in court," said Norac.
"The only thing I would never consent to is look for another
homeland. This is the only homeland I fought for and am willing to
continue fighting for," he added.
Earlier tonight the Interior Ministry said in a statement Norac was
under police control and that he would be taken to the Rijeka County
Court Investigating Centre, which launched an investigation
against the general more than a fortnight ago due to suspicion that
he had committed war crimes against civilians. The court also
passed a decision to detain Norac for a month. An arrest warrant was
issued when police were unable to find him at home.
The Interior Ministry statement did not provide any other details.
Spokesman Slavko Rako declined to comment on questions from the
press as to Norac's whereabouts and when he would appear before the
Rijeka investigating judge.
Norac's attorney Ivan Kern told Hina tonight he did not know Norac's
whereabouts and that he was expecting a call from his client.
The retired general's surrender ensued after the chief prosecutor
with UN's war crimes tribunal in The Hague said earlier today that
she would let the Croatian judiciary conduct any proceedings that
might be conducted against Norac.
Prime Minister Ivica Racan confirmed so at a press conference
today. He vowed on the government's behalf the prosecution of Norac
in the Gospic Case, or any other crime ostensibly committed by him
on Croatian territory between 1991 and 1995, would be conducted by
the Croatian judiciary.
(hina) ha