ZAGREB COUNTY COURT PRES COMMENTS ON MEDIA'S ACTION IN SAKIC CASE

( Editorial: --> 5317 ) ZAGREB, May 20 (Hina) - The law binds a court to make the main debate public, after the inquiry is completed and an indictment against the suspect is raised, said president of Zagreb's County Court Miroslav Sumanovic, in answer to Hina's question. The case of Dinko Sakic, former Jasenovac concentration camp commander, is under the jurisdiction of the Zagreb County Court. Sakic is expected to be extradited to Croatia. That court on 21 April made a ruling on initiating an inquiry against Sakic because of founded suspicions that he committed crimes against civilians during World War Two. Commenting on the fact that some media published parts of the ruling on initiating an inquiry against Sakic, Sumanovic said that this is "obstructing the course of the inquiry". Sumanovic said that the law expressly limits the circle of people who can be witness to the inquiry's work. "The court does not abhor from making the proceedings public, because (this) prompts court independence," said Sumanovic, but warned that making the witnesses names known during the inquiry's proceedings "damages the interests of the inquiry". The principle of innocence applies for suspect Dinko Sakic, as for everyone else, until a valid ruling proves him guilty, said Sumanovic. Every suspect has the right to an unbiased and fair trial. Publication of statements by potential witnesses, of facts charging the suspect, their commentary, of analyses of guilt or innocence, can be considered as prejudging the outcome of the trial and indirect pressure on the court. It can be considered as conducting a parallel process in the media, which is unacceptable in a civilised country, because that is why the court exists, said Sumanovic. (hina) jn mrb/ha 201845 MET may 98