County Fire Chief Dražen Slavica has been placed in custody for a duration of one month, announced investigative judge of the County Court in Šibenik, Branko Ivić.
Slavica is suspected of committing serious criminal offenses against public safety and endangering life and property through a dangerous act or means due to a series of omissions he made while leading the firefighting operation on the island of Korant. After being arrested on Thursday and following a police investigation, Slavica was brought this morning to the Investigative Center of the County Court in Šibenik. According to Branko Ivić, during the hearing, which only began in the later afternoon hours, Slavica exercised his legal right not to answer the questions of the investigative judge.
Slavica’s attorneys Zoran Gajski and Miljenko Bukovac from Zagreb stated that their client does not feel guilty for the acts he is suspected of. They also added that they believe in the rule of law and that Slavica expresses deep regret for the tragedy that occurred on August 30 on the island of Korant when 11 firefighters lost their lives in the fire and from the consequences of burns sustained while extinguishing that fire, and two others are still fighting for their lives. (H)
