FIVE WAR-CRIMES SUSPECTS FROM VIROVITICA DETAINED FOR 48 HOURS

ZAGREB/BJELOVAR, Sept 19 (Hina) - Five war-crimes suspects from Virovitica were detained after questioning at the Bjelovar County Court Wednesday. Bjelovar County Court president Vladimir Gudelj revealed that the five detained suspects were Zeljko Iharos (38), Ivan Vrban (51), Antun Fereza (65), Nikola Teskera (39) and Military Police member Vlatko Stubicar (32). The two suspects currently treated at a Bjelovar hospital are Military Police member Andjelko Kasaj (47), and a Croatian Army officer Luka Perak (48). They are accused of killing a Virovitica native, Bogdan Mudrinic, in 1991. The Virovitica County police and military police investigation determined Iharos issued the order for Mudrinic's arrest and authorised his questioning at the town barracks, even though he was a civilian, while Vrban, Kasaj and Teskera beat him, causing his death. Stubicar and Fereza are accused of not attaining or offering medical assistance, even though they were aware of the beating and Mudrinic's grave condition, while Perak was the one who transported Mudrinic's body out of the barracks. In answer to Mudrinic's wife's questions on the whereabouts of her husband, Iharos issued a written statement, claiming he was released from custody. Three of the accused - Vrban, Fereza and Stubicar - were awarded medals for merit in the Homeland Defence War. The investigation into Mudrinic's disappearance continues, and in the next 48 hours the District Attorney's office will decide whether a full investigation into the involvement of the seven suspects will be launched, and pre-trial proceedings started. (hina) js