HERAK AND BAZON TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY

PULA, Jan 31 (Hina) - The investigating judge of the Pula County Court, Svetislav Vujic, on Monday decided that Croatia's former Tourism Minister Ivan Herak and the owner of 'Mini-pam' company from Labin, Djani Bazon, should be taken into custody. "This will prevent their influencing witnesses in the investigating procedure, that is, enable unobstructed collection of data and other evidence," Vujic said in a statement, adding he decided that both Herak and Bazon should remain in custody thirty days after the day of their arrest. The State Attorney's Office in Pula yesterday forwarded a request to the investigating judge regarding Herak and Bazon, who are already at the County Prison in Pula, as well as regarding Herak's assistant and president of the management board of 'Imperial' hotel company from the island of Rab, Antun Golik. Herak is suspected of having abused his office whereas Bazon and Golik are suspected of aiding him in the criminal act. In line with the Law on Criminal Proceedings, the investigating judge considered the request and on the basis of gathered data and facts established that the request was founded. "Therefore, I today decided that an investigation should be initiated against Ivan Herak and Djani Bazon. Since Antun Golik has not been questioned by the investigating judge, he will be summonsed to state his defence so that a decision on an investigation against him could be made as well," Vujic said. He added Golik would be summonsed for a questioning next week. (hina) rml