|
Trial Chamber I of the Tribunal today issued an arrest warrant against Branko Djeric, a former Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, the Bosnian Serb-dominated entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and directed Bosnian authorities to detain and transfer him to the Tribunal's seat in The Hague to face charges of contempt of court.
Judges in the trial against former Bosnian Serb political leader Momčilo Krajisnik had earlier this month on 8 June 2006 issued a subpoena ordering Djeric to appear as a witness in the case on Monday 26 June 2006. Djeric 's failure to appear before the Trial Chamber or to show good cause why he could not comply with the subpoena triggered the issuance of the arrest warrant.
In the Trial Chamber's Order, the Presiding Judge, Alphons Orie, noted that, according to a Republika Srpska police report submitted to the Tribunal, Djeric had been informed of the contents of the subpoena ordering him to appear as a witness. Additionally, he had been warned that deliberate failure to adhere to the subpoena could result in criminal proceedings, the issuance of an
arrest warrant and, if convicted, a possible term of imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to 100,000 Euros, or both.
In accordance the Tribunal's Rules the Judges have the authority to call witnesses to assist them in the adjudication of a case. Djeric is one of several witnesses that Judges in the Krajisnik case have called. The Prosecution concluded the presentation of its evidence on 22 July 2005, the defence case commenced 10 October 2005.
*****
The order and arrest warrant can be found on the Tribunal's website at the following links:
http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2006/p1093-e_contorder.pdf
http://www.un.org/icty/pressreal/2006/p1093e-warrant.pdf
|
