ZAGREB COUNTY COURT TALKS TO PRESS ABOUT SAKIC CASE

ZAGREB, Mar 4 (Hina) - Zagreb County Court president Damir Kos on Thursday spoke to reporters about the legal procedure and directives in the trial against Dinko Sakic, accused of war crimes committed in Croatia during World War Two. A trial against Sakic was to begin at the Zagreb County Court on Thursday, but was adjourned for March 15 due to the defendant's poor health. The number of times a trial may be interrupted and adjourned is not formally stipulated, Kos told reporters, but added it was not in a court's interest to have a defendant stand trial if medical experts claimed his health was endangered or that he was unable to stand trial. Kos said the Zagreb County Court was aware of the seriousness of the crime Sakic was charged with, and added the Court would try to provide the defendant with adequate medical treatment to restore his health and make him a valid trial subject. Reporters were also interested in the possibility of the trial being held without the defendant's presence. Kos said that according to criminal legislation, trials in absentia were possible only in two instances: if the defendant was unavailable and a warrant had been issued, or if the defendant's physical and mental condition was such to make him unable to attend trial and understand the indictment. Asked whether international experts could be invited to collaborate with Croatian ones, Kos said Zagreb had not had similar cases to date, but added it was possible to invite other experts to join the panel of judges. These experts should swear in and subsequently voice their opinion before the court. For a procedure of this kind, the extant expert's opinion should be brought into question, Kos said, adding the panel of judges would then decide on a new medical examination and a new expert. (hina) ha mm