ICTY: PROBE INTO LEVAR'S DEATH UNDER JURISDICTION OF CRO AUTHORITIES

ZAGREB/THE HAGUE, Aug 30 (Hina) - Any investigation into the death of Milan Levar is properly a matter for the Croatian authorities, read a statement released by the Hague-based International War Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on Wednesday. According to the statement, the ICTY Prosecution's Office "has no information which suggests that Mr. Levar's death was in any way associated with his dealings with the Tribunal." Levar was killed in a blast in the yard of his mother's house in the central Croatian town of Gospic on Monday afternoon. "Staff of the Prosecutor's Office interviewed Mr. Levar during 1997 and 1998 in relation to investigations being conducted by the Tribunal. Following these interviews, protective measures were offered to him, however, instead he chose to approach the media to give details of his co-operation and interviews with the Tribunal," read the statement adding that Levar had expressed his wish to remain in Croatia and asked "the Prosecutor to approach the Croatian Government to request that arrangements be made to provide protection for himself, his family and his property." "In response to this request, on 1 April 1998 the Prosecutor wrote to the Croatian Government requesting that protection be provided to Mr. Levar, a potential Tribunal witness. On 15 April the Croatian Government acknowledged that it would accept this responsibility," it read. At the end of the statement the Prosecutor expressed regret about the unfortunate death of Mr. Levar. (hina) ms