INVESTIGATING JUDGE RULES PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION FOR IVICA ROZIC

RIJEKA, Sept 20 (Hina) - Ivica Rozic, one of five persons arrested in Gospic last week under suspicion of war and other crimes in 1991, will undergo psychiatric and psychological evaluation at Zagreb's psychiatric clinic 'Vrapce' so that it is established if he can follow and participate in the hearing, Rozic's attorney Mirko Ruzic said. Rozic, who is suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, will undergo psychiatric evaluation in line with a decision by Rijeka County Court investigating judge Sajonara Culina. Attorney Ruzic believes the decision is justified, adding it is necessary to establish whether his client's mental disorder is permanent or temporary. It is incomprehensible that an ill person like Rozic could be interrogated for two days without the presence of an attorney as it is clear that statements given in such a situation cannot be considered as evidence, Ruzic said. Zeljko Dumancic, attorney for suspect Tihomir Oreskovic, said he could not understand why the appeal of the defence team to the measure of detention for their clients had been rejected with the explanation that they might influence witnesses. If they had wanted to do it, Dumancic said, they had ten years to do it. (hina) rml