ZAGREB COURT APPROVES LJUBICIC'S HAND-OVER TO ICTY

ZAGREB, Nov 16 (Hina) - The Zagreb County Court on Friday approved a request by the Hague-based Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for the hand-over of Pasko Ljubicic, whom it has indicted for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war. The court decision was handed to Ljubicic, who waived his right to appeal. The decision was adopted in line with the Constitutional Law on Cooperation with the Tribunal, which regulates that a request is approved if it is established that it refers to a person wanted by the tribunal and if the crimes committed by that person are within the tribunal's jurisdiction. In an 11-count indictment, issued in late October this year, the tribunal charges Ljubicic with having participated, as the commander of the First Platoon of a Croat Defence Council (HVO) military police battalion, in attacks on Muslim villages in the central Bosnian municipalities of Vitez and Busovaca between June 1992 and July 1993. He is also charged with crimes committed on October 16, 1993, against civilians in the village of Ahmici, where more than 100 civilians were killed and a large number of houses destroyed. Ljubicic is charged with crimes against humanity, killing and other inhumane treatment, and the violation of the laws or customs of war by attacking civilians, wanton and extensive destruction, the destruction of religious and education facilities, and looting. (hina) sb rml