ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - Matija Ljubek (aged 47), the most successful Croatian athlete, was killed in Valpovo (eastern Croatia) at about 07.50 pm Wednesday.
ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - Matija Ljubek (aged 47), the most successful
Croatian athlete, was killed in Valpovo (eastern Croatia) at about
07.50 pm Wednesday.#L#
According to a report issued by Osijek-Baranja county police, a
suspect, Marko V., shot Matija Ljubek to death, and then left for
Belisce where he also shot Ante B. to death and wounded Katica B.
The suspect was found between Valpovo and Belisce and taken to
police station in Valpovo.
According to information the police have to date gathered, the
suspect was a brother-in-law of the killed men, and family conflict
seems to have been the motive for the murder.
The police will report on further evidence tomorrow.
Matija Ljubek was of one of the best world canoeists and the winner
of four Olympic medals - gold and bronze in Montreal in 1976 and gold
and silver in Los Angeles in 1984..
He was the world champion ten times in one-man canoe and two-man
canoe.
Prior to this tragic event, Ljubek was the director of multi-sports
activities within the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Croatian
mission's head at the Olympic Games in Sydney.
(hina) ms