ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - The defence of five members of a criminal organisation, known as Zagreb mobsters, a year ago, way paid by the brother of the fled Zoran Pripuz, who agreed cooperation with attorney Anto Nobilo for a fee of
DM125,000, protected witness Tomislav Marinac said Wednesday in reply to examination by the prosecution. This information, Marinac said, was available to him soon after the apprehension of the first group of Zagreb mobsters. In search for defence attorneys of the five most important members of the organisation -- Nikica Jelavic, Miljenko Zaja Krojf, Rajko and Velibor Momcilovic, Davor Zecevic -- Petar Pripuz approached attorney Mato Matic, who demanded half a million German marks for their defence. The final agreement was reached with Nobilo, who, along with a fee of 125,000 marks, should have received a bonus of another 25,000 should the defendants be released in the first six
ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - The defence of five members of a criminal
organisation, known as Zagreb mobsters, a year ago, way paid by the
brother of the fled Zoran Pripuz, who agreed cooperation with
attorney Anto Nobilo for a fee of DM125,000, protected witness
Tomislav Marinac said Wednesday in reply to examination by the
prosecution.
This information, Marinac said, was available to him soon after the
apprehension of the first group of Zagreb mobsters. In search for
defence attorneys of the five most important members of the
organisation -- Nikica Jelavic, Miljenko Zaja Krojf, Rajko and
Velibor Momcilovic, Davor Zecevic -- Petar Pripuz approached
attorney Mato Matic, who demanded half a million German marks for
their defence.
The final agreement was reached with Nobilo, who, along with a fee
of 125,000 marks, should have received a bonus of another 25,000
should the defendants be released in the first six months.
The payment for attorney services after the apprehensions was
offered for Marinac to perform.
According to Marinac, upon his arrival to the Remetinec
penitentiary, several defendants with whom he had spoken during
walks or through windows, had told him to "hold on" and should not
worry about paying an attorney, adding he must remain quiet.
At the time Marinac was defended by Danko Drakulic, hired by
Marinac's wife. She paid him five thousand marks on several
occasions, and Drakulic did not ask for any more money after that,
although he did say he would cost 15,000 marks in the time of the
investigation, Marinac said.
Marinac said the "boys from Knezija (a neighbourhood in Zagreb)"
had strong connections with the Zagreb police.
They only feared special police troops, as Momcilovic had found out
he should have been killed during his arrest for having beaten up a
police officer.
"During one of our talks Momcilovic said there was no problem with
'Djordjiceva' (a police station), as Cado was his friend", Marinac
said, adding that upon his arrival in the penitentiary he had heard
Ratko Cado (chief of the special delinquency department) and Zeljko
Dolacki (former official in the organised crime prevention
department) were responsible for the arrests.
Asked by a prosecutor whether Marinac had in prison seen one of the
witnesses in this case -- Lovro Flanjak -- Marinac replied Flanjak
had been exposed to constant threats and intimidation in prison.
Similar threats were also forwarded to me, and they threatened my
family with death, Marinac said.
On the fourth day of the trial the protected witness spoke about the
murder of Zeljko Sobot about which, he said, did not know a lot, but
had heard stories about him having been "eliminated" by the Knezija
boys for some conflicts surrounding the trafficking of heroin.
Marinac will continue his testimony on Thursday.
(hina) lml