COUNTY COURT JUDGE READS INVESTIGATION REQUEST TO NADA SAKIC

ZAGREB, Nov 3 (Hina) - Nada Esperanza Sakic on Tuesday told the Zagreb County Court investigating judge that she understood her indictment and did not wish to respond or defend herself from false accusations. Prior to giving this statement, Sakic was read the investigation request and the decision on investigation proceedings, said Sakic's court appointed attorney Branko Seric. Sakic refused to answer further questions by the investigating judge Mirjana Rigljan, who is standing in for the currently absent judge Zeljko Pajalic. According to Seric, so far, the defence has no witnesses. However, he added that two people who were willing to deny testimonies given by witnesses in the proceedings against Mrs Sakic's husband Dinko Sakic and herself, had contacted him on Monday. Seric also confirmed that defence would be based on the fact that "Nada Sakic's arrival to Nova Gradiska was circumstantial, and that she was not commissioned as an official to do what she has been accused of in the description of the request for the investigation proceedings". Asked about the next step in the defence procedure, Seric explained that the Zagreb County Court Council should make a decision on the custody appeal. However, considering that custody is obligatory, the result of the appeal can be predicted, Seric noted, adding that Nada Sakic had expressed her wish to continue being represented by her court appointed attorney. The decision on the date of the first hearing will be made by judge Pajalic. Nada Sakic is currently in protective custody of the Zagreb County Court. Following a medical examination, Sakic's doctors said her health condition was satisfying considering the fact that she arrived from Argentina only a day before. Nada Sakic has not yet met with her husband Dinko, said Seric, adding he believed that their request to meet would be fulfilled in accordance with the county prison conditions and rules. (hina) it/rml /sp