HAGUE TRIBUNAL TO DECIDE ON BOSNIAN CROAT OFFICER ON FRIDAY

THE HAGUE, Sept 12 (Hina) - The International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia said in a statement on Thursday it would reach a decision in the case of Bosnian Croat officer Ivica Rajic on Friday. Rajic was indicted in August 1995 on charges of grave breaches and violations of the laws and customs of war which had been committed by Croatian Defence Council (HVO) forces under his command in the areas of Kiseljak, Kresevo and Vares in central Bosnia in October 1993. HVO units under Rajic's command "attacked and razed the mostly-Moslem village of Stupni Do, located about 10 km from Vares, on 23 October 1993. At least 16 civilians were killed and the remainder of the villagers were forced to flee their homes." On April 2 and 3, 1996 some of the evidence supporting Rajic's indictment was presented to the tribunal and testimonies of five eyewitnesses were heard. The tribunal's Trial Chamber decided on May 2 to postpone its decision in the case to allow the prosecution to file additional evidence. "Should the Trial Chamber decide to uphold the indictment against Rajic, it will reconfirm his indictment, issue an international arrest warrant against him, and may request the President to notify the Security Council of the failure of any relevant States to cooperate with the Tribunal," the statement concluded. (hina) vm jn 121411 MET sep 96