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Anto Furundzija Granted Early Release

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

The Hague, 30 July 2004
CT/ P.I.S. / 877e


Anto Furundzija Granted Early Release

 

On 29 July 2004, the President of the Tribunal, Judge Theodor Meron, ordered Anto Furundzija’s early release, effective 17 August 2004.

Anto Furundzija was sentenced to 10 years’ of imprisonment by the Trial Chamber on 10 December 1998 and his sentence was affirmed by the Appeals Chamber on 21 July 2000. He was transferred on 22 September 2000 to serve his sentence.

In reaching his decision, the President considered the fact that the Government of Finland notified him that "Mr. Furundzija will have served two thirds of his sentence on 17 August 2004 and will therefore, in accordance with the law of Finland, become eligible for early release" and that this notification "satisfies the requirements of Article 28 of the Statue of the Tribunal, Rule 123 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, and Article 1 of the Practice Direction on the Procedure for the Determination of Applications for Pardon, Commutation of Sentence and Early Release of Persons Convicted by the International Tribunal,IT/146,7 April 1999 (‘Practice Direction’)."

In addition, the President took into consideration "the gravity of the offences committed by Mr. Furundzija," that he "is resolved to be integrated into society, exhibited good behaviour in detention, and has a strong attachment to his family," and "as reported by the Finnish authorities, Mr. Furundzija has accepted the judgement he received as fair and has expressed remorse for the suffering of victims."

The President also considered a number of submissions, including reports by the Minister of Justice of Finland and the attached report from the Chief Officer of the Kylmäkoski prison, the Office of the Prosecutor, Judges of the sentencing Chamber who remain Judges of the Tribunal, and the members of the Bureau.

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The full text of the Order is available upon request at the Public Information Services.

 

 



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