TRIAL OF MLADEN NALETILIC-TUTA RESUMES ( Editorial: --> 2363 )

( Editorial: --> 2363 ) ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - The trial of Mladen Naletilic-Tuta resumed before the Zagreb County Court on Thursday with the reading of the indictment after the Supreme Court rejected a defence motion to exempt all members of the Trial Chamber, all County Court judges, the Supreme Court president and all prosecutors, including the State Attorney. Naletilic was charged with kidnapping a person, assaulting a police officer, participating in a criminal group and inciting murder. Naletilic allegedly committed the crimes in southwestern Bosnia- Herzegovina while he was commander of the Siroki Brijeg-based Convict Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO). The court heard that the accused was a Croatian citizen and that he had never applied for Bosnian citizenship. He had never been tried in a court of law and had never been in prison. Naletilic said he understood the indictment, but decided to exercise his right to remain silent as he had done during the investigation process. (hina) vm jn 201611 MET nov 97