Date: 12.11.2008
Time: 12:30
Registry and Chambers:
Nerma Jelačić, Spokesperson for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:
Good afternoon,
Yesterday the prosecution completed presenting its evidence in the trial of Milan and Sredoje Lukić. A total of 40 live witnesses have been called by the prosecution. 98bis submissions will be made today and a judgement related to them is expected to be issued shortly thereafter. The Tribunal’s rules stipulate that at the end of the Prosecution’s case an accused can ask the Trial Chamber to acquit him of charges for which there was insufficient evidence. The Defence of Sredoje Lukić is scheduled to commence their case on Monday 24 November 2008. The Defence for Milan Lukic will present its case after the close of the case for Sredoje Lukic.
Turning to the court schedule:
Today a status conference will be held in the case of Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović at 14:15 in courtroom II. Stanišić and Simatović are charged with the crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war committed in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 26 June 2008 both accused were granted provisional release. The accused will be represented by their defence counsels at today’s status conference.
On Friday a further initial appearance of Florence Hartmann is scheduled to take place at 14:15 in court room III. She will be asked to enter a plea to charges of contempt.
The trials for Lukić and Lukić, Gotovina and others, Prlić and others, Popović and others, Vojislav Šešelj and Momčilo Perišić will continue this and next week.
As you know, the schedule is subject to last minute changes so please check our website for the latest updates.
Office of the Prosecutor:
Olga Kavran, Spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor, made the following statement.
As you all know, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz is currently conducting his regular working visits to the region of the former Yugoslavia. He was in Zagreb, Croatia on Monday and yesterday and is in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina today and tomorrow. He will be in Belgrade, Serbia on Monday and Tuesday.
In preparation for his regular report to the UN Security Council in December, the Prosecutor is meeting with government representatives, members of the judiciary dealing with war crimes cases and other officials in charge of cooperation with the Tribunal.
In accordance with Security Council Resolution 1543, the Prosecutor will submit his written assessment of the progress made in implementing the Tribunal’s Completion Strategy at the end of November. He will appear before the Security Council in New York in mid-December.
Questions:
A journalist asked whether the Registry has ruled on the request of Florence Hartmann for financial aid. Nerma Jelacic said that no public decision was available as yet.