"ZAGREB MOBSTERS" PLEAD NOT GUILTY

ZAGREB, Nov 6 (Hina) - Thirteen suspects undergoing trial for aligning into a criminal organisation, murder, racketeering and other crimes, on Monday pleaded not guilty on all counts. The fourteenth indictee is currently on the run. #L# The defendants were last week read an amended indictment applicable to the fourteen suspects. The initial indictment included eighteen suspects. One agreed to cooperate and received repentant status, excluding him from the indictment, while three indictees will undergo a separate trial. The prosecution has motioned some 200 witnesses, including several people who were connected with the underground by the media -- Vjeko Slisko, Lovro Flanjak and Djino Zekan. Among the numerous witnesses are several forensic experts and "repentant" Tomislav Marinac. Besides a court investigation report, the prosecution included as evidence several police charges and special reports forwarded to the state prosecutor. The prosecution has requested closed court sessions during the identification of several protected witnesses, as well as the distortion of their faces on television. During the hearing on Monday only the defence counsel for two defendants motioned witnesses. Some defence attorneys opposed the testimony of Tomislav Marinac arguing he had not been questioned by the investigative judge in previous investigative proceedings. The defence has requested a special session during which the identity of protected witnesses would be established, on which the prosecution voiced agreement. The trial continues Wednesday. (hina) lml jn