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Kolundzija Case ("Keraterm Camp"): Identity of the Accused established Initial Appearance Hearing to Resume on 13 July.

Press Release ·Communiqué de presse

(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)


The Hague, 25 June 1999

SP/ P.I.S./ 411-E


KOLUNDZIJA CASE ("KERATERM CAMP")


IDENTITY OF THE ACCUSED ESTABLISHED

INITIAL APPEARANCE HEARING TO RESUME ON 13 JULY


On 24 June 1999, Trial Chamber III (Judges May (Presiding), Bennouna and Robinson) held the evidentiary hearing ordered further to a submission of mistaken identity by Counsel for Dragan Kolundzija at his initial appearance hearing on 14 June 1999 (see Press Release No. 410).


In its written submission of 22 June 1999 the Defence acknowledged that Dragan Kolundzija had been present at the Keraterm Camp and thus withdrew the request for an evidentiary hearing. However, at the hearing Defence counsel continued to contend that the accused is not the person named in the indictment. The Prosecution called two witnesses (one in closed court) to establish the
identity of the accused.


The Trial Chamber was satisfied that Dragan Kolundzija is "the accused named in the indictment" and ordered that the accused enter his plea on Tuesday 13 July 1999 at 2.30 p.m., when the initial appearance hearing will resume.


Furthermore, the Prosecution has submitted an amended indictment for confirmation to Judge Lal Chand Vohrah in which it seeks to join Dragan Kolundzija to those named in the "Kvocka & others" indictment ("Omarska & Keraterm Camps"). The Trial Chamber noted that, upon confirmation of the amended indictment, any of the accused named in the indictment may file a Motion for
severance.


The accused will remain in the Detention Unit until further order.


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