INT. MINISTRY REFUTES NEWS THAT SAKIC IS TO BE EXTRADITED ON TUESDAY

( Editorial: --> 1475 ) ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - Argentina will most likely hand over the former commander of the Jasenovac concentration camp Dinko Ljubomir Sakic to Croatian police on Tuesday at Frankfurt airport, Croatian Television (HTV) reported on Monday evening, quoting the German news agency DPA. Sakic's lawyer Ivan Kern said on Monday that Sakic's extradition should not be expected before the end of the week. HTV's current affairs programme, Motrista, also said, quoting unofficial sources, that a team from the Croatian Interpol is already on its way to Frankfurt. Similar reports were made in the Tuesday issue of the Vjesnik daily, stating that "according to unofficial information representatives of authorised institutions in Croatia on Monday went to pick up Sakic". Responding to a question from Hina, the Croatian Interior Ministry's (MUP) public relations office on late Monday evening refuted the news that Argentina will on Tuesday extradite Dinko Sakic to Croatian police at Frankfurt airport. MUP said they will inform the public when it comes to Sakic's extradition. "Following his arrival to Croatia Sakic will be handed over to the justice police and taken to the jail in Rajtericevoj," Kern explained the procedure which follows after the extradition. "After that a medical examination follows to establish his condition of health and in the case of bigger health problems, if necessary, he will be placed in a hospital jail," Kern said. The investigative judge Zdenko Konjic has to question Sakic within 24 hours of his arrival, Kern told Vjesnik. (hina) jn bag 161242 MET jun 98