EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF KARLOVAC WEEKLY BEATEN UP

( Editorial: --> 0678 ) KARLOVAC/RIJEKA, 24 Dec (Hina) - Nenad Hlaca, editor-in-chief of the weekly "Karlovacki list" was beaten up around 6 pm Tuesday in central Karlovac, some 50 km east of Zagreb. Hlaca was attacked in front of the entrance to his editorial office, the Rijeka-based daily "Novi list", one of the founders of "Karlovacki list", reported Wednesday. While leaving the building where he works, Hlaca was attacked by two young unidentified men, who beat him up using their fists and feet. According to reports from Karlovac hospital, Hlaca was lightly injured - he received four 2-cm-long wounds and was released from hospital. According to "Novi list", the attackers took Hlaca's handbag with money and documents, but Hlaca believes that their intention was not to rob him. The robbery served to cover up the real motives of the attack, Hlaca said. Karlovac police are still searching for the perpetrators. At a Christmas reception at the office of Karlovac Mayor Branko Vukelic, Prefect Vlado Jelkovac, parliamentary representatives and Mayor strongly condemned the attack on Hlaca, asking police to shed light on the incident as soon as possible. The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) released a statement calling on the public to support journalists in their work. (hina) mm rm 241559 MET dec 97