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Marinko Katava, Ivan Santic and Pero Skopljak released by the International Tribunal.

Press Release . Communiqué de presse

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

  CC/PIO/279-E The Hague, 19 December 1997 MARINKO KATAVA, IVAN SANTIC AND PERO SKOPLJAK

RELEASED BY THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL


Prosecutor Louise Arbour stresses that

"professional ethics and fairness to the accused are paramount"


On Friday 19 December 1997, Judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia granted the Prosecutor’s request to withdraw the indictments issued in November 1995 against Marinko KATAVA, Ivan SANTIC and Pero SKOPLJAK.



  The three men were in the Tribunal’s custody since their voluntary surrender on 6 October 1997. Since then, further investigations have been made by the Office of the Prosecutor who became satisfied that "there is insufficient basis to justify proceeding to trial" against them, that their indictment should be withdrawn and that there are "no further charges
outstanding" against them.

The Prosecutor accordingly filed on 18 December Motions asking the appropriate Trial Chambers "to order the release of the accused".

Considering the "urgency of the matter", the Judges held hearings on Friday afternoon and ordered the release of the three men "in the interests of justice".

Practical arrangements have been made with the Dutch and Croatian authorities in The Hague for the release of the three men on Friday and their return on Saturday.

  ***** Please find attached a Statement by the Prosecutor, Justice Louise Arbour