| Press Release |
APPEALS CHAMBER
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| (Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document) |
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The Hague, 27 September 2006
RH/MOW/1116e
Appeal by Marijacic and Rebic Dismissed
The Appeals Chamber of the ICTY today dismissed appeals by Ivica Marijačić and Markica Rebić against the Trial Chamber judgement which found them guilty of contempt of court.
In its judgement from 10 March 2006, the Trial Chamber stated that both Marijačić and Rebić deliberately disclosed information regarding the testimony of Johannes van Kuijk, a Dutch army officer who testified as a protected witness in the case against former Croatian Army general Tihomir Blaškić.
During the relevant period, Marijačić was a journalist and editor-in-chief of the Zagreb-based weekly publication Hrvatski List. Rebić is the former head of the Security Information Service (“SIS”) of the Republic of Croatia.
Although no harm was done to the protected witness as a result of the disclosure of his identity and content of his testimony, the Trial Chamber found that the deliberate and calculated manner in which Marijačić and Rebić disregarded the closed session order is a serious matter which tends to diminish the authority of the Trial Chamber in the Blaškić trial. The Judges added that “public confidence in the effectiveness of the Tribunal’s protective measures is vital to the success of its work”.
The trial against Marijačić and Rebić began on 17 January 2006 and concluded on 19 January 2006.
The Appeals Chamber dismissed all grounds of appeal and affirmed the fine of 15,000 Euros on each of the accused. However, it allowed the accused to pay the fines in three monthly installments instead of 30 days, as ruled by the Trial Chamber.
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International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
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