HEARING CANCELLED DUE TO NALETILIC'S MEDICAL CONDITION

ZAGREB, May 4 (Hina) - The hearing of Mladen Naletilic Tuta before the Zagreb County Court was cancelled on Tuesday due to the defendant's poor medical condition. The hearing was called after the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) requested the apprehension and extradition of Naletic and Vinko Martinovic Stela. According to a medical expert, Naletilic is being treated in the Zagreb prison infirmary for heart problems. The expert confirmed Naletic was not able to attend the hearing. Naletilic suffers from tuberculosis, and has recently developed emphysema, a chronic swelling of the lung tissue which prevents normal breathing and damages his heart. The ICTY charges Naletilic and Martinovic with crimes against humanity, serious violations of the Geneva conventions, and violations of the laws and customs of war. The chairwoman of the panel of judges, Erna Drazancic, scheduled the next hearing for June 8. Naletilic is being tried before the Zagreb County Court and he is in detention. The Croatian judicial bodies sentenced Martinovic to eight years in prison for committing murder for personal gain. (hina) jn it/rml