NALETILIC'S ATTORNEY SHOCKED AT WAY HIS CLIENT WAS EXTRADITED

ZAGREB, March 21 (Hina) - Kresimir Krsnik, an attorney for Mladen Naletilic Tuta, on Tuesday said he was shocked at the way his client was handed over to The Hague war crimes tribunal, adding the rule of law had failed this time entirely. Krsnik said he had not been informed about the time of Naletilic's extradition nor had he been allowed to meet his client. He announced that he would travel to The Hague tomorrow. The attorney accused Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic of having forbidden him unjustifiably to visit his client at a prison hospital this morning. He showed reporters a court ruling allowing one visit to Naletilic at the prison hospital. Krsnik added that Ivanisevic had exceeded his authority and announced appropriate measures in that regard. According to Krsnik, around 9 am this morning he received a decision, addressed to his office, on Naletilic's extradition, signed by Ivanisevic. Immediately upon receipt of the decision, Krsnik forwarded a constitutional complaint to the Constitutional Court requesting a temporary suspension of extradition proceedings. The Constitutional Court pronounces a temporary measure of suspension of a decision when there is a possibility that irreparable damage might occur - in this case, it refers to inflicting damage on Naletilic's health. Krsnik believes that the findings of a doctors' team from The Hague did not contest earlier findings by a Croatian team of doctors, who said extradition proceedings could cause stress which could have fatal consequences for Naletilic. Krsnik said he received assurances from the Constitutional Court that his request would be considered urgently. That Naletilic was extradited before the Constitutional Court adopted a decision shows that Croatia has completely failed as a law-respecting state, Krsnik said, adding that in Naletilic's case the basic constitutional principle on the right to life had been violated. (hina) jn rml