RULING TO INVESTIGATE BANK HEAD BECOMES EFFECTIVE

ZAGREB, Oct 23 (Hina) - The Zagreb County Court on Monday turned down an appeal to a ruling urging the investigation of Ljerka Ercegovic, former chairwoman of the board of Hrvatska postanska banka, suspected of damaging the bank for some 34 million kuna ($3.9 million) at the instigation of arrested tycoon Miroslav Kutle. Ercegovic is suspected of abuse in business operations, specifically of signing contracts granting bank guarantees and loans to companies comprising Kutle's Globus grupa corporation without ensuring the collection of outstanding debts. Besides Ercegovic and Kutle, the ruling also seeks the investigation of another nine people, among whom are former Dubrovnik mayor Vid Bogdanovic and Mrs. Kutle, Ankica. They are suspected as accessories in the said crimes. Zagreb County Court investigating judge Mirjana Rigljan said the investigation ruling had become effective now that the appeal had been turned down. Investigation hearings will be held in mid- November, with some 50 witnesses expected to testify, she added. Kutle is standing trial at the said court on charges of economic crimes in connection with Tisak, the largest national press distributor. (hina) ha jn