ZAGREB MOBSTERS TO GO ON TRIAL EARLY IN OCTOBER

ZAGREB, Sept 22 (Hina) - Members of the Zagreb Mafia arrested last year will be put on trial early next month. It has not been decided yet whether the trial will be held in the Zagreb County Court building or the gymnasium of the capital's prison in Remetinec. #L# The 20 accused, of whom most were arrested late last November, are charged with some 30 of the most serious crimes, including murder, association into a criminal organisation, extortion, and drug abuse. Zagreb County Court president Miroslav Sumanovic and prosecutor Dunja Pavlicek-Patak have suggested that the trial be held in the prison for security reasons. The Criminal Proceedings Law allows for this possibility, and a decision will be taken next week. Sumanovic, Pavlicek-Patak, and the defence attorneys said at today's meeting there was a problem with the fact that the Zagreb County Court would not have room to accommodate 20 defendants during recesses. They would have to be taken back to prison, with tight security, which could cause numerous problems, including the court's normal functioning due to the high number of policemen guarding the building. Apart from Ivan Kern, the other defence attorneys objected to Sumanovic's suggestion. Zeljko Dumancic, one of first indicted Nikica Jelavic's attorneys, said his client objected to standing trial in the "inhuman conditions of the prison." The attorneys said the other defendants agreed. Dumancic announced filing a complaint if it were decided to hold the trial in prison. The trial will be presided by Judge Ratko Scekic. (hina) ha jn