| 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, 15 March 2007
CVO/MOW/1146e
Appeals chamber dismisses Josip Jović’s appeal affirms fine of 20,000 for contempt of court
The Appeals Chamber affirmed today the Trial Chamber’s judgement in the contempt case against the Croatian journalist, Josip Jović. On 30 August 2006 Jović was found guilty of publishing closed session transcripts from the trial of Tihomir Blaškić.
In its decision the Appeals Chamber dismisses all seven grounds of appeal filed by Josip Jović and orders him to pay a fine of 20,000 Euros within 30 days of today which he is allowed to pay in equal installments of five thousand Euros.
The Trial Chamber judgement stated that Jović, a former editor-in-chief of the Croatian daily newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija, published closed session court transcripts and parts of a witness statement given to the Office of the Prosecutor by witness Stjepan Mesić. Mesić, who since became the president of Croatia, testified as a protected witness in the case against former Croatian Army general Tihomir Blaškić.
The trial of Josip Jović was held on 11 July 2006.
The Tribunal has to date held contempt proceedings against 19 people, including accused, defence counsel, witnesses, journalists and others for charges including intimidating witnesses, refusing to answer questions in court, leaking confidential court documents, and breaching protective measures.
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The full summary of the judgement can be found at:
http://www.icty.org/x/cases/contempt_jovic/tjug/en/060830_summary_en.pdf
All proceedings can be followed on the Tribunal’s website www.un.org/icty.
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International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
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