COUNTY COURT PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON SAKIC'S EXTRADITION

( Editorial: --> 2285 ) ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - Dinko Ljubomir Sakic, former commander of the World War II Jasenovac concentration camp, was on Thursday evening taken from Zagreb airport to the county prison in Remetinec, Zagreb. Sakic was taken to prison by the Croatian judicial police. The President of the Zagreb County Court Miroslav Sumanovic said the suspect is considered to have moved from extradition detention to detention following a decision by the County Court investigating judge and after being handed over to the judicial police by Interpol members. Once in prison, Sakic will be examined by a physician who will determine his condition. Should he need medical care, Sakic will be transferred to the prison infirmary on Simunska cesta Street, but will remain detained, Sumanovic said. Sakic will be brought before the investigating judge on Friday and it depends on him whether he will present his defence or decide to remain silent. "It is the right of the suspect not to present his defence and answer questions at his first hearing," Sumovic said adding that, should Sakic choose to remain silent, the investigating judge would continue the investigation in accordance with his own assessment. The hearing will be attended by Sakic's defender, who for the time being, is court-appointed. Should the suspect decide to take another defender, the court- appointed defender will be dismissed, Sumanovic said adding the suspect could have three defenders at most. The County Court will occasionally release statements about the course of the investigation. (hina) rml 182200 MET jun 98