Date: 03.12.2008
Time: 12:00
Registry and Chambers:
Nerma Jelačić, Spokesperson for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:
Good afternoon,
First, a few provisional release decisions to highlight. The trial chamber last week denied Milan Milutinović’s and Nebojša Pavković’s motions for provisional release. Milutinović and Pavković, who are on trial with four other accused for crimes committed in Kosovo, had requested provisional release for health and family circumstances.
In the Herceg-Bosna leadership case two provisional release decisions were rendered yesterday. The trial chamber rejected Slobodan Praljak’s request for provisional release while Valentin Corić’s request was granted but stayed pending appeal from the Prosecutor’s office.
On to key submissions this week. Yesterday, the Registrar filed submissions to the Trial Chamber in the case of Radovan Karadžić in response to the accused’s motion for his legal associates to be remunerated at a higher rate than stipulated by the rules. In his submission the Registrar outlines the reasons why Karadžić should not be treated differently than other accused who opt to self-represent themselves.
In the case of Vojislav Šešelj, the Registrar has sought clarification from the President with regards to the competency of the trial chamber to review the Registry’s decision to monitor the accused’s privileged communications. This was in response to Trial Chamber’s decision rendered on 1 December. The Registrar suspended the privileged status of Seselj’s two associates Zoran Krasić and Slavko Jerković because of reasonable grounds to believe that they breeched the undertaking of confidentiality. He informed the accused that privileged communications will be permitted with his new legal associate Boris Aleksić once he provides appropriate telephone number for him which the accused has not done to date.
Onto the schedule:
The defence for Sredoje Lukić concluded its case yesterday having heard three witnesses. The defence for Milan Lukić will begin on Tuesday, 9 December and is expected to conclude in early March 2009. Hearings for the remainder of the week have been cancelled.
The trials for Šešelj, Gotovina and others, Momčilo Perišić and Popović and others will continue this week and next. The Prlić et al. trial has adjourned for the year and will continue on Monday, 12 January 2009.
Please note that the Tribunal will be closed on Monday, 8 December which is a holiday.
Please check the courtroom schedule on the Tribunal’s website for the latest schedule changes.
Office of the Prosecutor:
Olga Kavran, Spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor, made no statement.
Questions:
Asked why the defence for Sredoje Lukić did not hear a fourth witness as scheduled, Nerma Jelačić replied that this was discussed in private session.