Zeljko Milovanovic, who is custody in Belgrade awaiting a trial on the suspicion that he planted a device which caused an explosion that killed the Croatian Nacional newspaper's co-owner and journalist Ivo Pukanic and his associate Niko Franjic in downtown Zagreb in 2008, will also be put on trial in Zagreb, according to a ruling from the Croatian Supreme Court.
The court has turned down an appeal by this former member of the notoriousSerbian Red Beret units who asked for the suspension of proceedings against himbefore the Zagreb County Court so that he could be tried only in Belgrade.
Milovanovic was arrested in Belgrade in late May 2009, and since then he hasbeen in custody.
The Croatian Supreme Court ruled that there existed all legal conditions forMilovanovic to stand trial in Zagreb, too. Last October, the Croatian Officefor the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) issued anindictment against Milovanovic and another five defendants for conspiracy tokill Pukanic and for his murder.
The Supreme Court's decision removes obstacles for the start of the trial inthis case, which is to commence on 3 February.
Robert Matanic, Luka Matanic, Amir Mafalani and Slobodan Djurovic -- whohave been in custody at Zagreb's Remetinec detention centre -- will be put inthe dock at the Zagreb County Court over this case. The sixth defendant, BojanGuduric, is still on the run. Croatia's Interior Ministry has issued a warrantfor Guduric's arrest with a HRK100,000 reward for information leading to hisapprehension.
Zeljko Milovanovic, born in the eastern Croatian town of Beli Manastir,holds citizenships of Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has a thickcriminal record with various criminal acts committed in Serbia. His photo is onthe Interpol list of fugitives. He is also wanted by the Osijek County Courtfor war crimes against civilians.
According to the USKOK indictment, Pukanic's murder was contracted by SretenJocic also known as Joca Amsterdam, a Serbian citizen who will be put on trialfor this crime in Belgrade together with Milovanovic and Milenko Kuzmanovic.
