Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ZAGREB294
2006-03-03 15:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
LORA RE-TRIAL VERDICT: CROATIAN JUDGES FIND
how-toVZCZCXRO7173 PP RUEHAG RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHVB #0294 0621519 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 031519Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5788 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000294
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE - ENGLISH, BELL; S/WCI - HODGKINSON; INR - MORIN
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NSC BRAUN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KAWC PREL PGOV HR
SUBJECT: LORA RE-TRIAL VERDICT: CROATIAN JUDGES FIND
CROATIANS GUILTY IN PRISON ABUSE CASE
REF: A. 05 ZAGREB 1553
B. 04 ZAGREB 1483
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000294
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE - ENGLISH, BELL; S/WCI - HODGKINSON; INR - MORIN
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NSC BRAUN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KAWC PREL PGOV HR
SUBJECT: LORA RE-TRIAL VERDICT: CROATIAN JUDGES FIND
CROATIANS GUILTY IN PRISON ABUSE CASE
REF: A. 05 ZAGREB 1553
B. 04 ZAGREB 1483
1. SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The Split County Court on March 2
found eight Croatian soldiers guilty of the torture and
murder of ethnic Serb civilians at Lora Prison in 1992.
Sentences ranged from six to eight years in prison. This
decision reverses a notoriously biased 2002 acquittal thrown
out by the Supreme Court in 2004 (ref B) and serves as
another example of growing professionalism within Croatia's
courts. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.
JUSTICE INCREASINGLY BLIND TO ETHNICITY
--------------
2. In sharp contrast with the original trial five years ago,
which was marred by blatant judicial bias in favor of the
Croatian defendants, observers found the re-trial
professional and objective. Preparation for the case and the
trial itself also featured a new level of regional
cooperation with Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and
Herzegovina. SaM and BiH authorities allowed Croatian
prosecutors to interview witnesses on their territories and
cooperated with the GoC in facilitating these witnesses'
courtroom appearances.
3. The court's only major misstep during the re-trial was
failing to immediately order detention of the defendants when
the Supreme Court called for a new trial. During the
intervening weeks, four of the eight took the opportunity to
flee. They were convicted in absentia and remain fugitives.
Defense attorneys have already announced their intent to
appeal the guilty verdict. Split County Prosecutor Michele
Squiccimarro told Post he may also appeal, seeking tougher
sentences.
4. After the Pakracka Poljana decision (ref A),the Lora
verdict marks the second high-profile conviction in six
months of Croatian defendants for crimes against ethnic Serb
victims. These rulings, along with several ongoing
investigations, will help to reduce concerns about ethnic
bias within the judiciary.
FRANK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE - ENGLISH, BELL; S/WCI - HODGKINSON; INR - MORIN
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NSC BRAUN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KAWC PREL PGOV HR
SUBJECT: LORA RE-TRIAL VERDICT: CROATIAN JUDGES FIND
CROATIANS GUILTY IN PRISON ABUSE CASE
REF: A. 05 ZAGREB 1553
B. 04 ZAGREB 1483
1. SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The Split County Court on March 2
found eight Croatian soldiers guilty of the torture and
murder of ethnic Serb civilians at Lora Prison in 1992.
Sentences ranged from six to eight years in prison. This
decision reverses a notoriously biased 2002 acquittal thrown
out by the Supreme Court in 2004 (ref B) and serves as
another example of growing professionalism within Croatia's
courts. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.
JUSTICE INCREASINGLY BLIND TO ETHNICITY
--------------
2. In sharp contrast with the original trial five years ago,
which was marred by blatant judicial bias in favor of the
Croatian defendants, observers found the re-trial
professional and objective. Preparation for the case and the
trial itself also featured a new level of regional
cooperation with Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and
Herzegovina. SaM and BiH authorities allowed Croatian
prosecutors to interview witnesses on their territories and
cooperated with the GoC in facilitating these witnesses'
courtroom appearances.
3. The court's only major misstep during the re-trial was
failing to immediately order detention of the defendants when
the Supreme Court called for a new trial. During the
intervening weeks, four of the eight took the opportunity to
flee. They were convicted in absentia and remain fugitives.
Defense attorneys have already announced their intent to
appeal the guilty verdict. Split County Prosecutor Michele
Squiccimarro told Post he may also appeal, seeking tougher
sentences.
4. After the Pakracka Poljana decision (ref A),the Lora
verdict marks the second high-profile conviction in six
months of Croatian defendants for crimes against ethnic Serb
victims. These rulings, along with several ongoing
investigations, will help to reduce concerns about ethnic
bias within the judiciary.
FRANK