COURT TO RECONSIDER DECISION EXTENDING CUSTODY FOR 13 SERBS

OSIJEK, Nov 22 (Hina) - The Croatian Supreme Court has returned for reconsideration to the Osijek County Court a decision extending custody for 13 Croatian Serbs from the eastern region of Baranja who have been accused of war crimes over civilians. The Osijek County Court has to reconsider within 48 hours, defence attorney Domagoj Resetar told Hina on Wednesday. He said he was dissatisfied with the Supreme Court decision as it failed to even consider the first part of the appeal which refers to the legality of custody, but paid attention only to the part on the extension of custody. "We have pointed out in the appeal that the decision on extending custody for 60 days could not have been made for all defendants, but that it should have been made for each individually, taking into consideration individual reasons for extending custody," Resetar said, adding this request had been accepted by the Supreme Court. The 13 Serbs have been in custody since Oct. 6. Resetar said that Nikola Alaica, the defendant who went on hunger strike on Nov. 4, continued to refuse food. Dragan Karagaca, the other defendant who refused food since Nov. 4, began eating last week. (hina) ha jn