RIJEKA, Sept 15 (Hina) - The Rijeka County Court on Friday extended detention for five Gospic residents, arrested two days ago under suspicion of committing war crimes against Serb civilians in Gospic in 1991, to 30 days.
RIJEKA, Sept 15 (Hina) - The Rijeka County Court on Friday extended
detention for five Gospic residents, arrested two days ago under
suspicion of committing war crimes against Serb civilians in Gospic
in 1991, to 30 days. #L#
Rijeka County Court investigating judge Sajonara Culina questioned
Tihomir Oreskovic and the other four apprehended persons this
morning, and ruled that an investigation be initiated against them
and detention extended.
Attorneys for the war crimes suspects informed reporters of the
decision today.
Tihomir Oreskovic is suspected of having ordered and Ivica Rozic,
Martin Markovic, Joso Miletic and Ivan Jovanovic of having
participated in a criminal act resulting in the disappearance of 40
unidentified citizens of Serb nationality in the Gospic area in
1991.
The suspects pleaded not guilty, saying their apprehension was a
rigged political process according to the principle "brand
somebody as an enemy and arrest them," the attorneys said.
The attorneys said their clients' defence would be based on the "no
body, no crime" principle.
The five suspects were transferred from Gospic to Rijeka yesterday
evening, following a decision by the Supreme Court that
jurisdiction over the case should be transferred from the Gospic
County Court to the Rijeka County Court.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the attorneys yesterday announced
that they would demand exemption of the Rijeka court. However,
today they said they would decide about this subsequently as they
were already being accused of stalling the process.
Commenting on the health condition of their clients, the attorneys
said Oreskovic's blood sugar has increased significantly and Rozic
suffered from a severe chronic disease with no prospects of
improvement. The other three suspects are feeling well, the
attorneys said.
The attorneys added they would visit their clients after the news
conference.
(hina) jn rml .