CROATIAN POLICE ARREST FORMER MEMBER OF SERB PARAMILITARY UNITS

CROATIAN POLICE ARREST FORMER MEMBER OF SERB PARAMILITARY UNITS KARLOVAC, Oct 6 (Hina) - Milan Strunjas, a former commander of Serb paramilitary units during the occupation of the central Croatian town of Slunj, who is charged with crimes against civilians, was arrested by Croatian police several days ago, Karlovac County Court investigating judge Juraj Boljkovac told reporters on Friday. Strunjas, who is currently in custody, recently returned to the area of Slunj and Veljun at the surprise of Slunj residents, who reported him to the Karlovac police department. Boljkovac said that Strunjas was one of 40 members of the so-called Army of Krajina, suspected of crimes against civilians. The only suspect currently available to Croatian judicial bodies, Strunjas returned to Croatia to claim Croatian citizenship. During the occupation of Slunj, Strunjas was the commander of paramilitary units in Veljun. According to Boljkovac, an investigation will be launched to establish whether he participated in the expulsion of residents from Hrvatski Blagaj, Slunj and neighbouring villages. Strunjas is also suspected of arson in Hrvatski Blagaj and the killing of six people. The suspect is among 40 persons who during the Serbian occupation of Croatia's regions of Kordun and Banovina ordered cannon attacks on villages with a majority Croat population. The 40 suspects are also charged with setting churches on fire, killing more than 100 people, wounding 33 and abducting 20 persons. Before the war, Strunjas was the headmaster of a primary school. (hina) rml