20 AMNESTIED PRISONERS ARRIVE IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - The International Red Cross today transferred 20 former detainees from a refugee camp in Gasinci to Zagreb, the ICRC office in Zagreb said in a statement. These men were amongst 349 former detainees who had been temporarily housed at Gasinci following their release from pre- trial jail in a general amnesty granted by President Tudjman on 31 Dec 1995. The amnestees had all been arrested during and after the "Storm" and "Flash" operations and had been awaiting trial for armed rebellion until the pardon suspended all legal proceedings against them. "Of the 20 men transferred to Zagreb, 7 were reunited with their families at the ICRC delegation, 6 were accompanied to their homes in the Vojnic area and 7 will remain in Zagreb overnight before proceeding with the ICRC to their homes in the Knin area tomorrow," the statement said. "During their stay at Gasinci, the former detainees were interviewed in private by delegates from the ICRC in order to confirm whether they wished to be transferred and if so, to establish the final destination of their choice. They also had the opportunity to contact their relatives either through the Red Cross Message network or by a telephone provided by the ICRC," the statement said. "The ICRC continues to visit 389 detainees who remain in 15 places of detention in Croatia," the statement said. (hina) mm as 101528 MET jan 96