BERISLAV ZIVKOVIC RELIEVED OF DUTY AS STATE PROSECUTOR - EXTENDED

ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - Croatia's State Panel of Judges (DSV) at Monday's session unanimously relieved Berislav Zivkovic of duty as state prosecutor at his own request. Zivkovic announced in late June he would resign following a series of complaints on his and the state prosecutor's office's work coming from the president of the republic, the prime minister, and the minister of justice. Zivkovic had said he was leaving to alleviate the pressure on the state prosecutor's office so that it might continue working undisturbed. Zivkovic submitted his request to be relieved of duty on July 3. The State Panel of Judges granted the request today with no debate. Deputy state prosecutor Slavko Zadnik is to act as state prosecutor until a new one is appointed. The media have been mentioning Zagreb attorney Tihomir Rubesa as the likeliest candidate for the position. Given that the state prosecutor, according to law, is automatically a member of the DSV, Zivkovic will stop being one on July 31. The law on the state prosecutor's office stipulates that the state prosecutor is appointed by the DSV at the government's suggestion. The Justice Ministry has drafted amendments to said law suggesting that the state prosecutor be appointed by the prime minister at a suggestion by the minister of justice. Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic has announced the new state prosecutor should be elected under the new law, which is to enter parliamentary procedure in the fall. (hina) ha