SIBENIK COUNTY COURT SENTENCES WEAPONS SMUGGLERS

SIBENIK, April 12 (Hina) - The Sibenik County Court on Monday pronounced guilty seven persons charged with attempted smuggling of weapons, intended for the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The weapons, worth more than US$857,000, were to leave Croatia for Albania, from where they were to be directed to the KLA. The court judged that the defendants had wanted to help Kosovo Albanians in their struggle for survival and freedom, that they were not motivated by personal gain, and sentenced them to prison sentenced of duration between 11 to five months. The trial chamber, presided by judge Nives Nikolac, sentenced Hysni Zogaj in absentia to 11 months in prison for the criminal act of association and illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices. Zogaj, a known KLA fighter, is the main organiser of weapons purchase in Bosnia-Herzegovina and its transport from Croatia to Albania and further to Kosovo. The court sentenced Franjo Krizanac to 10 months in prison for association, forging of documents, customs control evasion and illegal possession of weapons. Ivica Drmic, Ferid Salihi and Ismet Gegic were sentenced in absentia to eight months in prison each for association and illegal possession of weapons. The real identity of Ismet Gagic is not known nor is it certain if that person really exists. Mirsad Misut and Kemal Patkovic were sentenced to five months for illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices. The time the defendants have spent in detention between November 28, 1998 and April 12, 1999, was taken into account and they were released. The police confiscated Franjo Krizanac's passport as a precautionary measure. (hina) jn rml