ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - The panel of judges of the Zagreb County Court on Wednesday Dinko Sakic's imprisonment. The former World War II concentration camp commander is currently being tried for war crimes against civilians.
Ascertaining that there were no reasons to support Sakic's imprisonment to be extended, Sakic's defence attorney Branko Seric, objected to the prosecutor's motion that Sakic's attendance to trial be ensured by keeping him in jail. "Sakic is a Croatian citizen, with residency where his wife currently lives. As all the witnesses have appeared before the court, there is no chance that Sakic could influence the outcome of the trial", emphasised Seric, adding that there were no extenuating circumstances by which the accused could commit the crime he is accused of. "It's funny and ridiculous and calls for no explanation", Seric said. In explanation of his decision, president of the panel of judges, Drazen Tripalo said th
ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - The panel of judges of the Zagreb County
Court on Wednesday Dinko Sakic's imprisonment. The former World War
II concentration camp commander is currently being tried for war
crimes against civilians.
Ascertaining that there were no reasons to support Sakic's
imprisonment to be extended, Sakic's defence attorney Branko
Seric, objected to the prosecutor's motion that Sakic's attendance
to trial be ensured by keeping him in jail.
"Sakic is a Croatian citizen, with residency where his wife
currently lives. As all the witnesses have appeared before the
court, there is no chance that Sakic could influence the outcome of
the trial", emphasised Seric, adding that there were no extenuating
circumstances by which the accused could commit the crime he is
accused of.
"It's funny and ridiculous and calls for no explanation", Seric
said.
In explanation of his decision, president of the panel of judges,
Drazen Tripalo said that imprisonment was necessary because if
Sakic is sentenced he faces a prison term of 20 years.
The panel of judges decided today to bring forward material
evidence or documents as presented by the prosecution. Three sets
of documents are involved - regulations in force the Independent
State of Croatia. original documents from World War II - mostly
photocopies - and documents issued by the National Commission to
Establish War Crimes Committed by the Occupying Forces and their
Allies.
The defence objected to the reading of the minutes taken by the
Split Jewish Community and a list of victims of the Jasenovac camp
dating back to April and November 1944 - during the time of Sakic's
command, submitted by the Belgrade Museum of Genocide. Judge
Tripalo noted that he would take the defence's objection into
consideration when making his decision.
The defence also objected to the reading of a statement Sakic made
to the "Panorama" magazine in 1995 as the original was not submitted
as evidence. The panel of judges decided that the original document
should be obtained and submitted to the court.
The trial will continue June 16 after technical arrangements have
been made for evidence to be viewed on a large TV screen.
(hina ) sp