Weekly Press Briefing - 21 September 2011

Date: 21.09.2011
Time: 12:00

Registry and Chambers:

Nerma Jelačić, Spokesperson for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:

Good afternoon,

This week the Trial Chamber ruled that the Defence case of Zdravko Tolimir will start on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, when the Accused will be given an opportunity to make his opening statement. The first Defence witness will be called on 11 January 2012 or a day earlier if the Accused chooses not to make an opening statement. Zdravko Tolimir, former high ranking official of the Bosnian Serb Army (VRS), is charged with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war committed between July and November 1995 against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica and Žepa, eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. His trial started in February 2010. The Prosecution has one remaining witness to call. The Chamber announced that the Prosecution case will be considered as closed on 27 September 2011.

Turning to activities in the courtroom this morning:

A Status Conference in the trial of Vlastimir Đorđević was held this morning during which the Appeals Chamber requested that Defence file a public redacted version of its Appeal Brief by 3 October 2011.

In the trial of Radovan Karadžić, the Trial Chamber is currently hearing the testimony of a protected Prosecution witness in closed session.

 In the trial of Mićo Stanišić and Stojan Župljanin, a protected witness is currently testifying about events that took place in Banja Luka during the period relevant to the indictment. He is testifying on behalf of Župljanin’s Defence.

Regarding next week’s courtroom schedule:

Proceedings in the retrial of Ramush Haradinaj and others will resume on Monday at 9:00 in Courtroom I, with the testimony of the seventh Prosecution witness.

A Status Conference in the appeals case of Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač will be held on Thursday, 29 September, at 15:30 in Courtroom III.

I will conclude by mentioning that this year’s International Day at the Tribunal was particularly well attended. More than 750 members of the public, almost double than last year, made the most of the unprecedented opportunity to explore a courtroom through a guided tour by our staff members. Visitors also attended presentations by Judge Orie and Prosecutor Brammertz and had the opportunity to ask them questions. Our staff members were available throughout the Open Day to answer visitors’ questions about the Tribunal’s work and mandate. The event provided the ICTY with a great opportunity to bring the work of the Tribunal closer to the citizens of The Hague and to the public at large.

Office of the Prosecutor:

Frederick Swinnen, Special Adviser to the Prosecutor, made no statement.

Questions:

No questions were asked.