Croatia is Tried in Mercep Case

Mercep is charged with killing of 24 civilians in Vukovar before the beginning of war, HHO gave everything to The Haage

The Mercep case is the toughest for Croatia because this trial will be interpreted as a trial of Croatia for war crimes, that is, for the commencement of war, the head of the Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO), Zarko Puhovski said. The Croatian government has not yet made a move due to this fact, and not, as some believe, because the authorities are afraid of Tomislav Mercep, said Puhovski.

False interpretation

The starting point was that Croatia was only defending itself, and not that it started some conflicts – explains Puhovski, noting that he disagrees with this thesis, but the fact is some individuals will interpret this case is such a way.

-Objectively and realistically, this has nothing to do with the truth, but it will be interpreted in such a way- he stresses.

On the other hand, when it comes to those who ordered the activation of the 15-year old case, he believes the decree came from out of the country.

Instigating of Croatia

-It is clear to see that Croatia is trying to be spurred and given a push on cases that have been waiting for years- holds the head of the HHO.

Namely, he adds, there is a desire out there to make Croatia do all its obligatory homework.

In all respects, this is counter-productive for Prime Minister Sanader- he concluded, pointing out that the trial of the Mercep case will see the light of day not earlier than in 2008, which he deems logical because this is an election year.

Tomislav Mercep commanded a special police unit during the war in the eastern Croatian town of Vukovar. He has been accused of committing war crimes against civilian Serbs in the Pakrac area in 1991.