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Inquiry into the convictions of the Croatian Six
About the Inquiry
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.
Hearing
The first hearing block in the Inquiry commenced on 4 December 2023. Counsel Assisting the Inquiry presented their opening address and evidence was adduced from Vjekoslav Brajkovic and Joseph Stipich. On 5 December 2023, the hearing was adjourned until 25 March 2024.
The second hearing block in the Inquiry commenced on 25 March 2024. In this hearing block, evidence was adduced from numerous retired police officers who were involved in the original investigation. On 5 April 2024, the hearing was adjourned until 13 May 2024.
The further hearing blocks in the Inquiry are as follows:
- 13 to 16 May 2024
- 20 and 21 May 2024
- 1 to 5 July 2024
- 15 and 16 August 2024
- 24 to 26 September 2024
- 1 to 4 October 2024
- 1 November 2024
- 4 to 8 November 2024
The hearings will take place on Level 4 of the Chief Secretary’s Building, 121 Macquarie Street, Sydney. Public entry to the Chief Secretary’s Building is via Bridge Street, Sydney.
The hearings will be live-streamed on the Department of Communities and Justice YouTube channel.
Limited seating is available for members of the public at the hearing. Members of the public are encouraged to view the proceedings online via the livestream.
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.
Contact Us
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.
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You can access our apology to the Stolen Generations.