JUSTICE MINISTRY ISSUES STATEMENT ON REPLACEMENT OF HEAD OF DUBROVNIK COUNTY PRISON

ZAGREB, Aug 30 (Hina) - The Croatian Justice Ministry on Monday issued a statement saying the former head of the Dubrovnik County Prison, Goran Violic, had been replaced due to his responsibility in a case involving the suicide of a prison inmate. "The reasons which are being mentioned in the media (the tapping of the phone of Mr. Neven Barac and political reasons) are the result of ill-intentioned subjective thinking and speculation), said the statement from the Ministry's department for sanctions, signed by Assistant Justice Minister Vjekoslav Jazbec. The Ministry reminds that inmate Robert Covic committed suicide at the Dubrovnik County Prison on June 5, 1999. Immediately after the incident, Justice Minister Zvonimir Separovic suspended the officer on duty. An investigation was carried out by the County Court investigating judge, County State Attorney and county police. Separovic also appointed a commission to investigate the case and establish possible responsibility. The commission established during the investigation that psychiatrist Nada John on February 3, 1999 had established that Covic had suicidal intentions and ordered increased supervision, which prison officials failed to carry out. The same diagnosis was established during subsequent examinations and supervision was ordered, but no measures were taken to secure increased supervision, the statement said. The head of the County Prison was replaced from his office and appointed as head of the prison security service, to take up the new office on September 1, 1999. The statement adds that the suicide case is the only and true reason for Violic's replacement. The commission also decided that the officer who had been suspended immediately after the incident should returned to job as his responsibility in the case was not established, the statement said. (hina) rml