ZADNIK: INVESTIGATION ON CRIMES NEAR MARINO SELO INTENSIVE

ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - An investigation on crimes committed over Serb civilians near Marino Selo, about 150 kilometres east of Zagreb, in 1991, is intensive and for the time being efforts are being invested in filing charges against an unknown perpetrator, acting state attorney Slavko Zadnik told reporters Friday. Zadnik said that the County State Prosecutor's Office in Pozega, authorised for this case as of early summer, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, was gathering data and statements of witnesses. So far, several witnesses have been examined, most of whom are not eye-witnesses. He added he would be careful that the investigation would not be confused with the cases of the Zec family and Pakracka Poljana. The case of the murder of the Zec family ended in July 1992, by the acquittal, because members of a so-called Mercep unit confessed without the presence of their lawyer. The case of an illegal apprehension and the execution of Serb civilians in Pakracka Poljana is currently before the supreme court, which is to pass a verdict. In June 1999, during the trial, no evidence was provided that six indictees participated in the executions, four indictees were released (the verdict was not final), while two indictees were sentenced for destruction of property and illegal arrest. Supreme court president Marijan Ramuscak recently announced, a session about this case would be held in mid December. (hina) it jn