FOUR BOSNIAN CROAT SUSPECTS REQUEST PROVISIONAL RELEASE ( Editorial: --> 1561 )

( Editorial: --> 1561 ) ZAGREB/THE HAGUE, Nov 17 (Hina) - Defence counsel for four accused in the Kupreskic case have filed a joint motion for "temporary set at liberty" in accordance with Rule 65 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia in The Hague said in a statement on Monday. Defence attorney Ranko Radovic filed the motion for the provisional release of Mirjan and Zoran Kupreskic, defence attorney Luka Susak filed for Dragan Josipovic, and the third member of the defence team, Petar Puliselic, filed for Dragan Papic. Counsel for the accused requested their provisional release on the grounds that they were "family people and this motion would mitigate their position, both for them and for their families," the statement said. The accused said they were willing to "give statements" assuring that, while provisionally released from the tribunal's custody, they would not endanger victims and witnesses. The defence also requested the tribunal to set bail in the event of provisional release. (hina) vm 172202 MET nov 97