On 30 August 2022, the Honourable Justice Wright directed, pursuant to s 79(1) of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW) ('the CAR Act'), that an inquiry ('the Inquiry') be conducted into the convictions on 9 February 1981 of Maksimilian Bebic, Mile Nekic, Vjekoslav Brajkovic, Anton Zvirotic, Ilija Kokotovic and Joseph Kokotovic (together, the ‘Croatian Six’).
On 16 March 2023, the Honourable Chief Justice Bell of the New South Wales Supreme Court, pursuant to section 79(1)(a) of the CAR Act, appointed the Honourable Acting Justice Hulme ('the Inquirer') to conduct the Inquiry.
A copy of the judgment of Wright J of 30 August 2022 and the direction by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 16 March 2023 (PDF, 462.4 KB) are available.
The hearing in the Inquiry commenced on 4 December 2023, with Counsel Assisting presenting their opening address on that date.
Hearing blocks in the Inquiry took place as follows:
At these hearing blocks, evidence was adduced from the petitioners, numerous retired NSW Police officers, Commonwealth officers and civilians who were involved in the original investigation and trial.
Oral closing submissions were heard from 5 to 7 March 2025.
All live streams, recordings and other material published by the Inquiry are subject to Crown copyright. For media queries about permitted reproduction or distribution of the material, contact: media.unit@dcj.nsw.gov.au.
Any person who considers that they have information which may assist the Inquiry should contact the Solicitor assisting the Inquiry using the details provided on the Contact Us page.