|
ICTY Weekly Press Briefing
Date: 10.01.2007
Time: 12:00
Registry and Chambers:
Refik Hodžić, Spokesman for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:
The pre-trial conference will be held in the Dragomir Milošević case this afternoon at 2:15 pm in courtroom I. The trial will begin tomorrow at the same time also in courtroom I and the Prosecution will begin its presentation of evidence on Monday.
Milošević, a former commander of the Sarajevo Romanija Corps (SRK) of the Bosnian Serb Army (VRS), who succeeded Stanislav Galić as the commander of the SRK, is charged with murder, terror and attacks on civilians in relation to a campaign of sniping and shelling attacks on the city of Sarajevo.
This trial will be mark an unprecedented level of activity of the tribunal making it the seventh trial running concurrently, further increasing the level of activity of the Tribunal which saw all its courtrooms occupied throughout the last year. The past year marked the peak of Tribunal’s work. As President Pocar reported to the Security Council in November, cases against 100 accused, out of a total of 161, have been closed. Of the 61 remaining, 13 are already at the appeals stage, 24 are on trial, 14 are in pre-trial stage – with one of these, Dragomir Milošević, to start trial tomorrow – and four are pending Rule 11bis motions for referral. Six indictees remain at large.
Last year the Chambers rendered judgements in nine cases: Momir Nikolić, Hadžihasanović and Kubura, Milomir Stakić, Vinko Martinović and Mladen Naletilić, Naser Orić, Ivica Rajic, Momčilo Krajišnik, Blagoje Simić and Stanislav Galić. Dragan Nikolić was transferred to Italy in June to serve his 20-year sentence. Miodrag Jokić, who entered a guilty plea in 2003, was transferred to Denmark in October to serve his sentence of seven years’.
At the same time, we have seen solid movement forward in cases referred to the national courts pursuant to Rule 11bis. Nine accused have been referred to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, two accused have been referred to Croatia and one, Vladimir Kovačević, has been referred to Serbia by the referral bench and is currently before the Appeals Chamber. In the first case which was referred, that against Radovan Stanković, a judgement has been rendered before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stanković was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for crimes committed in the town of Foča. Various other cases are in different phases of trial and pre-trial procedures. Three 11bis referral cases involving four accused remain to be dealt with: Milorad Trbić, Milan and Sredoje Lukić and Dragan Zelenović. The Prosecutor has requested all these cases be referred to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As President Pocar announced to the Security Council in December, at the current pace all trials should be completed by 2009 and appeals within two years from the completion of trials. However, the critical issue of the six outstanding fugitives remains, and in particular, the necessity of apprehending Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić. For a decade, the Tribunal has repeatedly called on Member States to ensure the arrest of these fugitives without result. The continued failure to ensure their arrest now renders the 2009 date for the completion of all trials doubtful. The mandate of the Tribunal cannot be regarded as fully implemented without the trials of these high-level accused.
The trials that are being held currently, and are to be held, deal with crimes committed across the territory of the former Yugoslavia, thousands of victims of from all ethnic groups and the senior political and military leaders which include former presidents and prime ministers, senior political leaders, army and police commanders. With the judgments rendered to date and the body of evidence amassed in its investigations, the Tribunal has already established itself as the pillar of all transitional justice initiatives in the region of the former Yugoslavia and a pivotal influence on the development of international justice. While we are aware that there is still much work to be done, the Tribunal remains entirely committed to upholding the highest standards of due process and completing its of contributing to peace and security in the former Yugoslavia.
SCHEDULE:
Moving on to the schedule:
The trials for the Popović et al. and Prlić et al. cases recommenced this week after the winter recess. Also scheduled for this week are the closing arguments in the Martić case today through Friday; and the rebuttal in the Mrkšić et al. case Friday through next Monday.
There are two status conferences scheduled for this week: tomorrow at 2:30 pm in courtroom II in the Bralo case and on Friday at 5:30 pm in courtroom I in the Haradinaj et al. case. Next week, a status conference will be held in Mićo Stanišic case on Thursday, 18 January at 4 pm in courtroom I.
A referral hearing will be held in the Trbić case on Monday, 15 January at 9 am in courtroom I and in the Zelenović case on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 am in courtroom II.
On Friday 19 January, there will be a judgment in the contempt case against Domagoj Margetić at 2:30 pm in courtroom I.
The on-going trials for Popović et al., Prlić et al., Milutinović et al. and Dragomir Milosević will continue to sit next week.
And finally, let me inform you that the Appeals Chamber will be traveling to Arusha next week to render a judgment in the case against Emmanuel Ndindabahizi on Tues 16 Jan. Appeals hearings will be held during the next week in the cases against Mikaeli Muhimona and the ‘Media Trial’ against Ferdinand Nahimana, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza and Hassan Ngeze.
FILINGS:
I would like now to mention several documents that were filed over the winter recess.
In the case against Vojislav Šešelj, the Trial Chamber filed its decision on the accused’s request to appeal several oral decisions rendered in the case. The Trial Chamber addressed each issue and denied the request for certification in relation to all points raised.
There were several motions filed in the Momcilo Krajišnik case regarding his counsel in the appeals process of the case. In a motion filed last week, the defence requested that the Appeals Chamber consider appointing the current assigned counsel as amici curiae, among other motions.
The defence in the Mićo Stanišić case filed a request last week asking the Trial Chamber to consider applying Rule 73bis (D) to the case. In their request, the defence asked the Trial Chamber to invite the Prosecution to reduce the scope of the indictment by at least one-third by reducing the number of counts, crime sites or incidents in one or more of the charges.
For a complete list of the documents filed over the break, please take a look at the briefing document list.
Office of the Prosecutor:
Olga Kavran, Spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor, made the following statement:
I do not have a statement today, but I would like to join my colleague Refik in wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
As Refik has outlined in great detail, we are going ahead full steam. As of tomorrow and the beginning of the trial against Dragomir Milosević, the Prosecution teams will be engaged in proceedings against 25 individuals. That is another record in the Tribunal’s docket in terms of the number of individuals on trial concurrently.
As this is my first press briefing, I would also like to say that I am very much looking forward to working with all of you in my new capacity, so please do not hesitate to contact me.
For those of you who may not have my contact details yet, I can be reached at the following telephone numbers: +31 70 512 5493 and +31 65 126 9611. This information is also on the Tribunal’s website.
Questions:
Asked when the trial of Vojislav Šešelj would recommence, Hodžić said that no date had been set by the Trial Chamber. He pointed out that the Trial Chamber had issued a “Decision On The Status Of Decisions Issued And Pending Motions". The decision invited Šešelj to inform the Chamber on the status of his health. It instructed the Registry to do likewise. Hodžić added that this was in accordance with the Appeals Chamber decision that invited Šešelj to inform the Chamber when he believed he would be fit to stand trial under the new circumstances of conducting his own defence.
Asked if this meant that it would be up to Šešelj to determine when the trial would recommence, Hodžić answered that it would be up to the Trial Chamber to determine the exact date for the start of trial. Hodžić added that in view of the fact that Šešelj was now conducting his own defence, the Trial Chamber had invited him to inform them as to when he felt fit to re-start the trial.
Asked if there was any information on where Stakić would serve his sentence, Hodžić stated that it was standard practice not to discuss the transfer in advance. He added that the media would be informed after the transfer had taken place.
Documents:
|
Case Description |
Signature Date |
Document Title |
|
Boskoski et al
|
18-Dec-06 |
Request For Certification |
|
Delic
|
18-Dec-06 |
Prosecution Request For Leave To Reply And Reply To The Defence Response To The Prosecution Motion For Judicial Notice Of Adjudicated Facts |
|
Haradinaj et al
|
18-Dec-06 |
Defense Response On Behalf Of Ramush Haradinaj To Prosecution Motion For Variation Of The Trial Chamber Order Of 27 September 2006 |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
18-Dec-06 |
Request For Certification To Appeal Against The Oral Decision Of Pre-Appeal Judge Schomburg Affirming The Registrar's Decision To Assign Counsel To Mr Krajisnikm |
|
Ljubicic
|
18-Dec-06 |
Prosecutor's Second Progress Report |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
18-Dec-06 |
Prosecution's Motion For Judicial Notice Of Adjudicated Facts, With Annex A |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
18-Dec-06 |
Amended Indictment |
|
Oric(Appeal)
|
18-Dec-06 |
Request For Certification |
|
Prlic and Others
|
18-Dec-06 |
Milivoj Petkovic's Response To Prosecution Supplementary Motion Filed 6 December 2006 For Admission Of Documentary Evidence Relating To Prozor |
|
Seselj
|
18-Dec-06 |
Registry Submission Regarding Vojislav Seselj's Appeal Against The Registry Decision Of 17 November 2006 |
|
Seselj
|
18-Dec-06 |
Decision On The Status Of Decisions Issued And Pending Motions |
|
Haradinaj et al
|
19-Dec-06 |
Information To Trial Chamber Re: Confidential Defence Motion On Behalf Of Ramush Haradinaj For Subpoena To Witness Sst7/29 To Produce Notes Referred To In His Witness Statement |
|
Milorad Trbic
|
19-Dec-06 |
Prosecutor's Response To Order For Further Submissions On Referral Request And Scheduling Order For Haering Filed On 22 November 2006 |
|
Prlic and Others
|
19-Dec-06 |
Joinder Of The Accused Pusic In Jadranko Prlic's Response To Prosecution Second Motion For Admission Of Evidence Pursuant To Rule 92 Bis (A) And (B) |
|
Seselj
|
19-Dec-06 |
Procès-Verbal Of Reception Of Bcs Translation Of "Registry Submission Regarding Questions Raised In The Chamber's Scheduling Order Of 1 December 2006" |
|
Seselj
|
19-Dec-06 |
Decision |
|
Stanisic & Simatovic
|
19-Dec-06 |
Correspondence From The Republic Of Montenegro |
|
Boskoski et al
|
20-Dec-06 |
Response To Prosecution's Motion Pursuant To Rule 92 Ter |
|
Kovacevic (Appeal)
|
20-Dec-06 |
Prosecution's Response To Appellant's Brief Of 15 December 2006 |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
20-Dec-06 |
Motion In Relation To Issues Arising From Self-Representation And Assignment Of Counsel |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
20-Dec-06 |
Order On Referral Of Request Pursuant To Rules 65ter (J) And 107 |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
20-Dec-06 |
Prosecution Motion For Admission Of Documentary Evidence With Confidential Annexes |
|
Perisic
|
20-Dec-06 |
Prosecution's Response To Defence Motion To Strike Treanor Report |
|
Prlic and Others
|
20-Dec-06 |
Slobodan Praljak's Motion For Extension Of Time To File A Response To Prosecution's Motion For Admission Of Evidence Pursuant To Rule 92bis (A) And (B) (Gornji Vakuf) |
|
Jankovic G. et al.
|
21-Dec-06 |
Decision Of The Registrar Re. Assignment Of Counsel |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
21-Dec-06 |
Decision On The Prosecution Motion To Amend Its Rule 65ter Exhibit List |
|
Seselj
|
21-Dec-06 |
Procès-Verbal Of Reception Of Bcs Translation Of "Decision [By The Registrar To Terminate Assignments Of Counsels]" |
|
Boskoski et al
|
22-Dec-06 |
Prosecution's Response In Opposition To Naser Oric's Request For Certification |
|
Boskoski et al
|
22-Dec-06 |
Prosecution's Reply To Boskoski's "Response To Prosecution's Motions Pursuant To Rule 92ter" |
|
Oric(Appeal)
|
22-Dec-06 |
Defence Response To The Prosecution's Motion To Strike Defence Reply Brief And Annexes A-D |
|
Oric(Appeal)
|
22-Dec-06 |
Prosecution's Response In Opposition To Naser Oric's Request For Certification |
|
Prlic and Others
|
22-Dec-06 |
Valentin Coric Response To Prosecution Motion For Admission Of Documentary Evidence Related To Witness Cg |
|
Seselj
|
22-Dec-06 |
Procès-Verbal Of Reception Of Bcs Translation Of "Prosecution Request For Clarification Regarding The Form Of Disclosure And Filing Procedures" |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
27-Dec-06 |
Request For Review By The President Of The Decisions Of The Registry In Relation To Assignment Of Counsel |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
27-Dec-06 |
Motion Seeking Review Of The Decision Of The Registry In Relation To Assignment Of Counsel |
|
Prlic and Others
|
27-Dec-06 |
Joinder Of The Accused Valentin Coric In Slobodan Praljak's Motion For Extension Of Time To File A Response To Prosecution's Motion For Admission Of Evidence Pursuant To Rule 92bis (A) And (B) (Gornji Vakuf) |
|
Prlic and Others
|
27-Dec-06 |
Joinder Of The Accused Valentin Coric In Jadranko Prlic's Response To Prosecution Motion To Amend Witness And Exhibit Lists To Add One Witnes And Related Video Tape As An Exhibit |
|
Milorad Trbic
|
28-Dec-06 |
Correspondence From The Government Of Bosnia And Herzegovina |
|
Milorad Trbic
|
28-Dec-06 |
Response By The Government Of Bosnia And Herzegovina To Questions Posed By The Referral Bench In Its Decision Of 22 November 2006 |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
28-Dec-06 |
Defence Motion: Joining "General Ojdanic's Opposition To Motion To Call General Wesley Clark As A Prosecution Witness" |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
28-Dec-06 |
Joint Defence Response To Prosecution's Renewed Motion For Leave To Amend Its Rule 65ter Witness List To Add Michael Phillips And Shaun Byrnes With Annex A |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
28-Dec-06 |
Pavkovic Joinder With "General Ojdanic's Opposition To Motion To Call General Wesley Clark As A Prosecution Witness" |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
28-Dec-06 |
General Ojdanic's Opposition To Motion To Call General Wesley Clark As A Prosecution Witness |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
28-Dec-06 |
Mr. Milan Milutinovic Motion To Join "General Ojdanic's Opposition To Motion To Call General Wesley Clark As A Prosecution Witness" |
|
Prlic and Others
|
28-Dec-06 |
Response Of The Berislav Pusic To Prosecution Motion For Admission Of Documentary Evidence Related To Witness Cg Dated 14th December 2006 |
|
Seselj
|
28-Dec-06 |
Procès-Verbal Of Reception Of Bcs Translation Of "Decision On Request For Certification To Appeal Several Oral Decisions" |
|
Seselj
|
28-Dec-06 |
Decision On Request For Certification To Appeal Several Oral Decisions |
|
Seselj
|
28-Dec-06 |
Procès-Verbal Of Reception Of Bcs Filings |
|
Stanisic
|
28-Dec-06 |
Decision By The Registrar Assignment Of Counsel |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
29-Dec-06 |
Defence Motion: Joining "General Ojdanic's Opposition To Motion To Call General Wesley Clark As A Prosecution Witness" |
|
Perisic
|
29-Dec-06 |
Notice Pursuant To Rule 94bis Concerning Prosecution Expert Morten Torkildsen And Motion To Exclude |
|
Perisic
|
29-Dec-06 |
Notice Pursuant To Rule 94bis Concerning Prosecution Expert Robert Donia And Motion To Exclude |
|
Perisic
|
29-Dec-06 |
Notice Pursuant To Rule 94bis Concerning Prosecution Expert Reynaud Theunens And Motion To Exclude |
|
Milutinovic et al.
|
30-Dec-06 |
Sreten Lukic's Joinder In The Opposition Filed By Co-Accused Ojdanic |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
02-Jan-07 |
Motion Requesting Assignment As Amici Curiae |
|
Stanisic
|
02-Jan-07 |
Mico Stanisic's Request For Application Of Rule 73 Bis (D) |
|
Stanisic
|
02-Jan-07 |
Defence Motion In Relation To The Prosecution's Non-Compliance With The Pre-Trial Judge's Order Regarding Rule 65 Ter (E) Of The Rules Of Procedure And Evidence |
|
Boskoski et al
|
03-Jan-07 |
Prosecution's Reply To "Johan Tarculovski's Response To Prosecution Moitons Pursuant To Rule 92 Ter" |
|
Mejakic et al.
|
03-Jan-07 |
Prosecutor's Third Progress Report |
|
Stanisic
|
03-Jan-07 |
Urgent Defence Motion For Extension Of Time For Filing The Pre-Trial Brief |
|
Popovic et al
|
04-Jan-07 |
Defence Motion On Behalf Of Vujadin Popovic, Ljubiša Beara, Drago Nikolic, Ljubomir Borovcanin And Vinko Pandurevic To Strike Prosecution’s Response To Defence Motion For Certification Of Decision On Prosecution’s Motions For Leave To Amend Rule 65ter Wit |
|
Stanisic & Simatovic
|
04-Jan-07 |
Defence Submission |
|
Haradinaj et al
|
05-Jan-07 |
Prosecution Application For An Extension Of Time To Comply With The Trial Chamber's Order Of 13 December 2006 Concerning Witness Sst7/30 |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
05-Jan-07 |
Corrigendum To "Motion Seeking Review Of The Decisions Of The Registry In Relation To Assignment Of Counsel" |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
05-Jan-07 |
Prosecution's Notice Of Rule 94bis Disclosure Of Expert Report Of Robert Donia |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
05-Jan-07 |
Prosecution Notice Of Filing Its Second Consolidated Exhibit List Pursuant To Rule 65ter Of The Rules Of Procedure And Evidence, With Confidential Annex A |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
05-Jan-07 |
Prosecution Motion For Admission Of Witness Written Statement Pursuant To Rule 92ter Of The Rules Of Procedure Of Evidence, With Confidential Annex A |
|
Perisic
|
05-Jan-07 |
Momcilo Peresic's Waiver Of Appearance For 7 February 2006 Status Conference |
|
Perisic
|
05-Jan-07 |
Counsel's Request To Appear By Teleconference For 7 February 2007 Status Conference |
|
Seselj
|
05-Jan-07 |
Procès-Verbal Of Reception Of Bcs Translation Of "Decision On The Status Of Decisions Issued And Pending Motions" |
|
Stanisic
|
05-Jan-07 |
Prosecution's Response To Urgent Defence Motion For Extension Of Time For Filing The Pre-Trial Brief |
|
Krajisnik (Appeal)
|
08-Jan-07 |
Certificate On The Trial Record |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
08-Jan-07 |
Scheduling Order |
|
Popovic et al
|
08-Jan-07 |
General Gvero's Motion To Strike Prosecution Response As Untimely Or For Leave To Reply: Motion Relating To Evidence Of General Sir Rupert Smith |
|
Babic (Appeal)
|
09-Jan-07 |
Ivan Cermak's And Mladen Markac's Joint Motion For Access To Confidential Testimony And Documents In Prosecutor V. Milan Babic Case |
|
Boskoski et al (Interlocutory)
|
09-Jan-07 |
Decision On Ljube Boskoski's Appeal On Jurisdiction |
|
Gotovina et Al.
|
09-Jan-07 |
Ivan Cermak's And Mladen Markac's Joint Motion For Access To Confidential Testimony And Documents In Prosecutor V. Slobodan Milosevic Case |
|
Gotovina et Al.
|
09-Jan-07 |
Ivan Cermak's And Mladen Markac's Joint Motion For Access To Confidential Testimony And Documents In Prosecutor V. Milan Babic Case |
|
Gotovina et Al.
|
09-Jan-07 |
Ivan Cermak's And Mladen Markac's Joint Motion For Access To Confidential Testimony And Documents In Prosecutor V. Milan Martic Case |
|
Lukic et al (Interlocutory)
|
09-Jan-07 |
Order Assigning Judges To A Case Before The Appeals Chamber |
|
Martic
|
09-Jan-07 |
Ivan Cermac's And Mladen Markac's Joint Motion For Access To Confidential Testimony And Documents In Prosecutor V. Milan Martic Case |
|
Milosevic
|
09-Jan-07 |
Ivan Cermak's And Mladen Markac's Joint Motion For Access To Confidential Testimony And Documents In Prosecutor V. Slobodan Milosevic Case |
|
Milosevic Dragomir
|
09-Jan-07 |
Prosecution's Motion For Protective Measures With Confidential Aanex A |
|
Popovic et al
|
09-Jan-07 |
Prosecution's Response To "General Gvero's Motion To Strike Prosecution Response As Untimely" |
|
Stanisic
|
09-Jan-07 |
Order Scheduling A Status Conference |
|
Stanisic
|
09-Jan-07 |
Defence's Motion For Leave To Reply And Proposed Reply To Prosecuion's Response To Urgent Defence Motion For Extension Of Time For Filing The Pre-Trial Brief |
|
