ZAGREB MOBSTERS TRIAL ZAGREB, Oct 13 (Hina) - Ahead of the trial of 20 members of the Zagreb Mafia, reporters from almost all Croatian media on Friday made a tour of the Zagreb County Court Prison gymnasium in Remetinec, which has
been redesigned as a trial chamber. The trial of Zagreb mobsters begins on Monday, October 16. 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, Oct 13 (Hina) - Ahead of the trial of 20 members of the
Zagreb Mafia, reporters from almost all Croatian media on Friday
made a tour of the Zagreb County Court Prison gymnasium in
Remetinec, which has been redesigned as a trial chamber.
The trial of Zagreb mobsters begins on Monday, October 16.
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. #L#
Apart from the gym, which will be the venue of what is believed to be
the biggest trial in the history of Croatian judiciary, additional
rooms have been redesigned for the panel of judges, defence teams
and reporters.
According to Zagreb County Court president Miroslav Sumanovic, the
trial was not transferred from the Zagreb County Court building in
downtown Zagreb to the Remetinec County Prison only because of
security reasons but because of lack of room for prisoners and their
contact with the defenders.
Also, Sumanovic said, placing the trial at the County Court Prison
building will facilitate food supply for the prisoners during
longer hearings as well as their being taken to the hearings.
Sumanovic said that all accused Zagreb mobsters, who were in
custody after their arrest in other prisons, were currently at the
Remetinec County Prison.
Commenting on the possible testifying of protected witnesses
through a video wall, which would distort their image and voice,
Sumanovic said this was for the panel of judges to decide about.
So far, the panel of judges has not asked for such technical
assistance, he said.
The main hearing, he said, will be covered by about 60 reporters
from 21 media houses, and they will be able to use several phone and
fax lines in an improvised press centre.
Two photographers and one TV camera will be allowed to the main
hearing, except in cases when the president of the panel of judges,
Ratko Scekic, decides to vacate the court room or hold the hearing
behind closed doors for the sake of witness protection or other
special circumstances.
Before entering the County Prison building, journalists and
audience (for whom 80 seats have been secured) will have to pass a
metal detector. The trial as well as the area around the prison will
be safeguarded by court police and members of the Interior
Ministry.
(hina) jn rml