Date: 19.03.2008
Time: 12:00
Registry and Chambers:
Nerma Jelačić, Spokesperson for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:
Good morning,
The presentation of evidence in the trial of Ljube Boškoski and Johan Tarčulovski ended yesterday when Tarčulovski’s defence rested, thereby completing the defence case of both accused. Fifty Prosecution witnesses and a total of 13 witnesses for both Defence teams were heard over 141 trial days. The prosecution’s closing arguments have been scheduled for Tuesday 6 May 2008, followed by those of both defence teams on Wednesday 7 May 2008.
Trial Chamber III yesterday issued an order suspending the temporary provisional release of Nebojša Pavković. Pavković was on 14 March granted provisional release scheduled to begin 25 March 2008 upon the strict condition that the Government of Serbia provided 24-hour electronic surveillance. The suspension follows Serbia’s request for clarification of this particular condition. The parties and Serbia have been ordered to make their written submissions no later than Tuesday 25 March 2008.
Yesterday, the Trial Chamber III decided to postpone the trial of Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović due to the medical condition of Stanišić. The pre-trial conference has been scheduled to resume on 1 April 2008, at which date the health of the accused will be reassessed.
In the courtrooms this week: The Milutinović et al. and Šešelj trials are sitting today and tomorrow.
The trial of Rasim Delić will resume next Tuesday, after the Easter break.
The three principals of the ICTY were happy to receive a visiting group of judges and prosecutors from the State Court and Prosecutor’s offices of Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this week. Led by the President of the Court of BiH, Meddzida Kreso, the group had an opportunity to meet with counterparts from the Tribunal and discuss cooperation issues. The visit was sponsored by UNDP.
And finally I would like to remind you that the Tribunal is closed this Friday and next Monday for Easter. The next press briefing will be held on 2 April 2008.
Office of the Prosecutor:
Olga Kavran, Spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor, made the following statement:
Tomorrow, the Prosecutor will meet with Serbia’s War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukčević and Chairman of the National Council for Cooperation, Mr. Rasim Ljajić.
The meeting will take place here in The Hague. The Prosecutor and the visitors will discuss issues related to the cooperation of Serbia with the Tribunal and plans for the Prosecutor's upcoming visit to Serbia.
Questions:
Asked whether there would be a press conference following the meeting between the Prosecutor and Mr. Vukčević and Mr. Ljajić, Kavran responded that there would not but that a statement would be issued.