ZAGREB, Aug 9 (Hina) - Vinko Martinovic alias Stela, escorted by Croatian police and Interpol members, was taken to Amsterdam aboard a plane of the "Croatia Airlines" company in the regular flight from Zagreb to that Dutch city on
Monday.
ZAGREB, Aug 9 (Hina) - Vinko Martinovic alias Stela, escorted by
Croatian police and Interpol members, was taken to Amsterdam aboard
a plane of the "Croatia Airlines" company in the regular flight from
Zagreb to that Dutch city on Monday. #L#
He is to be handed over to the International War Crimes Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague that accuses him of having
seriously violated international law.
An assistant to Croatian Justice Minister, Snjezana Bagic, told
reporters at the Zagreb airport that the extradition procedure of
Martinovic to the Hague Tribunal had been completed by today's
departure of this Bosnian Croat to The Hague. The procedure
commenced with the Croatian Government's decision of August 7 (last
Saturday) to turn Martinovic over.
Recalling that Vinko Martinovic had waived his right to appeal a
ruling to be extradited in the Zagreb County Court, Bagic said
Martinovic was ready to travel to The Hague where he would present
his defence to the Hague Court.
Acting in accordance with above mentioned decisions of the County
Court and the Government which decided on the extradition, the
Justice Ministry and Interpol have carried out those decisions
today and Vinko Martinovic has been handed over to the Hague
Tribunal, she added.
Martinovic's defence counsel, lawyer Branko Seric, said his
defendant was in good mental and physical shape and was ready to
appear before the ICTY.
According to rules of the Hague Court, Martinovic must be taken
before a trial chamber within two days, Seric said adding that he
will fly to Amsterdam by next plane and prepare Martinovic for the
questioning.
Asked by reporters whether it was possible that Martinovic be
questioned without presence of his defence attorney and whether he
might be offered a certain settlement by the prosecution, Seric
replied that his client would accept no contact without his
lawyer.
At the beginning of last December the Hague Tribunal asked for the
extradition of Martinovic, as he is charged with 22 counts in an
indictment for allegedly committing crime against humanity,
violating the Geneva Conventions and breaching customs and laws of
war.
(hina) ms