SUPECT DENIES ACCUSATION THAT HE KILLED CRO POLITICAL EMIGRANT

ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) - Recently extradited Croatian murder suspect Vinko Sindicic on Thursday completed presenting his defence in pre- trial proceedings before the Zagreb County Court investigating judge. Sindicic is suspected of murdering Bruno Busic, a prominent Croatian political emigrant, following orders from a former Yugoslav security service, UDBA. According to his court-appointed attorney Zdenko Haramija, Sindicic denied the charge that he had killed Busic or committed any political assassination against any Croatian political emigrant in the world, including Nikola Stedul, for whose attempted murder he served a ten-year prison sentence in Scotland. Sindicic claimed he was a victim of UDBA's "behind-the-scenes games and schemes". He said the UDBA used blackmail to recruit him after he had become the secretary of Branko Jelic, a Croatian political emigrant. The murder suspect did not comment on the numerous media articles and commentaries related to his case, but requested during the inquiry that he be guaranteed "good protection", said Haramija. He added the defendant warned the numerous reporters' cameras and flashes waiting in front of the courtroom could hide a gun. (hina) ha mm