ZUROFF DISAPPOINTED AT POSTPONEMENT IN SAKIC TRIAL

ZAGREB, Mar 4 (Hina) - The Simon Wiesenthal Centre on Thursday expressed great disappointment with a delay in the trial against Dinko Sakic, a Croatian World War Two concentration camp commander accused of war crimes. Sakic's trial was to commence at the Zagreb County Court on Thursday morning, but was adjourned until March 15 due to the defendant's poor heath. According to a statement centre director Efraim Zuroff issued in Zagreb, the delay was a very unfavourable beginning of a trial which represented an important test of Croatia's willingness to face its WW2 past. Zuroff, who was present in court on Thursday morning, also noted that the defendant looked sufficiently healthy when he appeared in court. Given the unjustified recent release of his wife, the statement said there was reason for concern with regard to Croatia's willingness to try Ustasha criminals. Sakic's wife Nada, also accused of war crimes committed during WW2, was recently released due to insufficient evidence against her. Zuroff on Thursday told Reuters he was "disappointed" at the postponement. "If in ten days it is postponed again, if this happens again and again and he isn't brought to trial, it will be proof that his country is not ready for a trial like this," Zuroff said. "If they are ready to face the past, Sakic will be on trial and the truth will be told," he told Reuters. (hina) ha mm