ZAGREB, Nov 14 (Hina) - Anto Nobilo, defence attorney for three indictees in the trial of the so-called Zagreb criminal organisation, said in his closing arguments on Thursday that the prosecution had not managed to prove the
existence of a mob.
ZAGREB, Nov 14 (Hina) - Anto Nobilo, defence attorney for three
indictees in the trial of the so-called Zagreb criminal
organisation, said in his closing arguments on Thursday that the
prosecution had not managed to prove the existence of a mob. #L#
"The entire trial is giant hear-say, the biggest in the history of
the Croatian judiciary, with the prosecution trying to create an
illusion of a major mob trial," Nobilo said.
Nobilo believes the trial is the result of collusion among the State
Prosecutor's Office, former investigating judge and later Chief
State Prosecutor Radovan Ortynski, people close to the alleged head
of the rival "clan", Vjeko Slisko, and some policemen.
The attorney believes this is the first trial in Croatia which has
seen such a large number of witnesses speak about second-hand
information.
The attorney for three defendants, including alleged Zagreb
criminal organisation boss Nikica Jelavic, also objected that the
prosecution changed the indictment four times during the two-year
trial.
Nobilo should wrap up his closing arguments, which contain some 200
pages, on Friday.
The trial of the so-called Zagreb criminal organisation has lasted
two years. Twelve indictees are charged with a number of criminal
acts, including murder, attempted murder, extortion and drug
dealing.
(hina) rml sb