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ICTY Weekly Press Briefing - 21st Mar 2007

ICTY Weekly Press Briefing

ICTY Weekly Press Briefing

  ICTY WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING Latest
Developments

ICTY Weekly Press Briefing



Date: 21.03.2007


Time: 12:00




Registry and Chambers:


Refik Hodzic, Spokesman for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:




SCHEDULE:


There will be two appeals chamber judgements in the first week of April: on Monday 2 April at 15:00 for Miroslav Bralo and on Tuesday 3 April at 14:00 for Radoslav Brdanin.


A status conference in the Boskoski and Taculovski case will be held this afternoon at 14:15 in courtroom II and a status conference in the Trbic case is scheduled for Friday at 15:30 in courtroom III.


Tomorrow, a hearing on procedural issues will be held in the Prlic et al. case at 9:30 in courtroom II.


Also this week, the Prosecution is expected to conclude its case in the Milutinovic et al. case and the 98bis hearing could possibly take place next week.


Next week, a status conference will be held in the Krajisnik case on Monday at 14:30 in courtroom I. The trials for Popovic et al., Prlic et al., Haradinaj et al. and Dragomir Milosevic will continue to sit next week. Please check our website for any last minute changes.


TODAY’S FILINGS:


In the Gotovina et al. case, Miroslav Separovic filed a request asking the Trial Chamber to temporarily suspend its decision that he can no longer appear as counsel for the accused Markac. In the request, Separovic states that since the issue is pending appeal, the Trial Chamber’s decision is "not valid and legally sufficient and should therefore not create legal and procedural consequences."


Office of the Prosecutor:


Anton Nikiforov, Advisor to the Prosecutor and acting Spokesperson of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), made no statement.



Questions:


Asked if there was a reaction to the defence counsel’s accusation of contempt regarding a statement made in last weeks press briefing responding to an article denying genocide in Srebrenica, Hodzic said that the statement from last Wednesday was specifically made with reference to the factual conclusions reached by the Trial Chamber in the Krstic judgement. On the basis of the evidence presented before it in the course of the trial, it established that the massacre at Srebrenica constituted genocide. This factual finding was established beyond reasonable doubt and was subsequently affirmed by the Appeals Chamber. Hodzic repeated that this statement addressed the blatant denial of genocide contained in the supplement "Licna Karta Srebrenice", published by the Belgrade daily 'Glas Javnosti' and simply referred to the facts established in the Krstic judgement with respect to the events at Srebrenica. It was not, in any way, a statement on the alleged individual responsibility of any accused whose cases are currently pending before this Tribunal.


A journalist referred to the repeated claims recently by Seselj and his party that several protected witnesses were put under pressure by prosecution investigators and by the Tribunal to falsely testify against him. Asked if there was any comment on the issue, Hodzic replied that the Tribunal was an international court which functions according to the highest standards of procedures. He stated further that there were ample mechanisms within its procedures to ensure that everything that its organs, including the prosecution, did was done within and according to the highest international standards of human rights.


Nikiforov added that the Prosecution would completely deny such allegations as the Prosecution would never threaten witnesses. Nikiforov stated that he would not go into further details which were alleged in the submission of the accused and in statements given by some people who were interviewed by Prosecution investigators, as it could be subject to some kind of inquiry at the Tribunal. On a procedural note, if a person was to be interviewed by investigators and there was evidence on their possible involvement in crimes, it would be an obligation for the prosecution to tell them. The prosecution would notify them that there was evidence on their possible involvement in crimes and this would not be regarded as a threat of an indictment and it could not be regarded as a threat. It would be a procedural right of the person in question to know such an allegation and gives them specific rights to be interviewed in the presence of their attorney and that such suspect interview (as it would be called) would be recorded on tape. Nikiforov stated that nothing else could be said and that the Prosecution at this stage would simply deny all these allegations.


Asked how expeditiously necessary documents would be translated by Registry in the Seselj case following a statement by the Pre-trial judge in the case that the start of the trial should be expeditious, Hodzic said that Registry has indicated already in different communications to the accused to what extent it could accommodate and facilitate such requests. Of course, it would be up the Trial Chamber to order the Registry to do whatever it deems necessary for an efficient conduct of the trial. At the same time, it would be up to the Registry to respond whether or not it had the resources to meet such requests. Hodzic said that he could not say anything more specific at the moment and that a status conference would be held on 4 April. He reiterated that in the past there had been communication with the accused as to what registry could and could not do.


It was pointed out that in the status conference in the Stanisic and Simatovic case today, the Prosecution stated that they had received documents from Serbia and the Serbian army and that the defence was opposed to the documents due to an expired deadline for disclosure. Asked when the Prosecution requested these documents, Nikiforov answered that there were requests for documents from Serbia that were still outstanding for many months and sometimes - years. Recently, in regard to many outstanding requests, the Prosecution received answers to more than 100 requests just in the beginning of March. So there was some development and once OTP received documents that had been pending for many months and sometimes years, they were immediately introduced in the particular cases. Approximately more than 100 requests or partially pending requests were still outstanding so they would come when they come. The Prosecution was working with Belgrade on a daily basis to get these documents. Yet, Belgrade still has a problem with delivering documents that relate to the conflict in Bosnia which clearly speaks about the involvement of Belgrade in the conflict. Nikiforov said that there were years of obstructions and delays in delivery of the documents and that almost each request required the prosecution to fight for answers.


Documents:


Case Description


Signature Date


DocumentTitle

Blaskic (Contempt)

16-Mar-07

Written Response To The Tribunal's Order Of 12 March 2007

Blaskic (Contempt)

20-Mar-07

Order Pursuant To Rule 77bis

Blaskic (Contempt)

16-Mar-07

Response To The Trial Chamber's Order Of 12 March 2007

Blaskic (Review)

16-Mar-07

Correspondence From Head Of Chambers Reaccess Of Delic To Material In Blaskic

Boskoski et al

16-Mar-07

Order Regarding Composition Of Trial Chamber For The Purpose Of Pre-Trial Proceedings

Brdjanin (Appeal)

16-Mar-07

Scheduling Order For Delivery Of Judgement

Delic

16-Mar-07

Correspondence From The Head Of Chambers Addressed To The Counsel In Delic Case

Gotovina et Al.

19-Mar-07

Decision On Ante Gotovina's Preliminary Motions Alleging Defects In The Form Of The Joinder Indictment

Gotovina et Al.

20-Mar-07

Attorney Miroslav Separovic's Request For Suspending The Procedural Consequences From Trial Chamber's Decision On Conflict Of Interest And On Misconduct Of Attorney Miroslav Separovic

Gotovina et Al.

19-Mar-07

Decision On Several Motions Challenging Jurisdiction

Gotovina et Al.

20-Mar-07

Scheduling Order

Gotovina et Al.

20-Mar-07

Correspondence From Slo, Tci Addressed To The Parties Re: Rule 65 Ter Conference

Hadzihasanovic et al. (Appeal)

19-Mar-07

Book Of Authorities For Prosecution's Response Brief

Haradinaj et al

19-Mar-07

Idriz Balaj's Consolidated Notice In Response To The Prosecution's 12 January, 15 February And 21 February 2007 Submissions On Expert Witnesses Pursuant To Rule 94bis

Jankovic G. et al.

20-Mar-07

Prosecutor's Sixth Progress Report (Re. Mr. Stankovic)

Limaj et al (Appeal)

20-Mar-07

Defence Filing Of Client's Consent For Counsel To Attend Status Conference By Way Of Telephone Link

Ljubicic

19-Mar-07

Prosecutor's Third Progress Report

Markac (Interlocutory)

20-Mar-07

Appellant Miroslav Separovic's Consolidated Interlocutory Appeal Against Trial Chamber's Decision On Conflict Of Interest Of Attorney Miroslav Separovic And Against Trial Chamber's Decision On Finding Of Misconduct Of Attorney Miroslav Separovic

Milorad Trbic

16-Mar-07

Further Scheduling Order For Status Conference

Milosevic Dragomir

16-Mar-07

Prosecution's Submission Of Supplement To Expert Report Of Richard Higgs, With Annex A

Milosevic Dragomir

19-Mar-07

Prosecution Motion For Admission Of Witness Written Statement And Transcripts Pursuant To Rule 92 Bis Of The Rules Of Procedure And Evidence

Milosevic Dragomir

19-Mar-07

Prosecution's Corrigenda Of Supplement To Expert Report Of Richard Higgs, With Annex A

Milosevic Dragomir

16-Mar-07

Submission In Response To Prosecution Motion For Admission Of Written Statements (Rule 92 Bis Of The Rules Of Procedure And Evidence)

Milosevic Dragomir

19-Mar-07

Prosecution's Motion To Limit Defence Evidence Relating To The Principles Of Tu Quoque And Provocation

Milutinovic et al.

20-Mar-07

Ordonnance Preliminaire Relative A La Deuxieme Demande De Communication De Pieces Relevant Des Articles 66 Et 68 Du Reglement, Presentee Conjointement Par La Defense

Milutinovic et al.

19-Mar-07

Report On Use Of Time In The Trial Period Ending 28 February 2007

Milutinovic et al.

19-Mar-07

Defence Motion Joining: Additional Defence Submission Regarding The Report And Testimony Of Phillp Coo

Milutinovic et al.

19-Mar-07

Defence Request Regarding Prosecution Witness Phillip Coo

Milutinovic et al.

16-Mar-07

Decision On Evidence Tendered Through Dr Eric Baccard

Milutinovic et al.

21-Mar-07

Sreten Lukic's Motion For Judicial Notice

Milutinovic et al.

19-Mar-07

Additional Defence Submission Regarding The Report And Tesatimony Of Phillip Coo

Milutinovic et al.

16-Mar-07

Prosecution's Submission Re Exhibits P1335, P1989 And 1996

Milutinovic et al.

19-Mar-07

Submission By Milan Milutinovic To Join Additional Defence Submission Regarding The Report And Tesatimony Of Phillip Coo

Milutinovic et al.

16-Mar-07

Prosecution's Third Request For Admission Of Exhibits From The Bar Table

Milutinovic et al.

21-Mar-07

Sreten Lukic's Additional Submission Objecting To Introduction Of Coo Documents From The Bar Table

Milutinovic et al.

19-Mar-07

Further Submission To Joint Prosecution And Defence Submission Of Annex C (Documents Agreed By The Parties), Filed 9 March 2007

Perisic

16-Mar-07

Prosecution And Defence Joint Application To Modify Terms Of Work Plan

Prlic and Others

20-Mar-07

Notice By The Accused Mr. Coric (Absence From Court)

Prlic and Others

21-Mar-07

Requête De L'accusation Aux Fins Du Réexamen Des Dates De Vacances Judiciaires D'été Fixées Par La Chambre De Première Instance

Prlic and Others

19-Mar-07

Petkovic Defence Response To Prosecution Request For Certification To Appeal Against The Trial Chamber Decision On Remand Dated 1 March 2007

Prlic and Others

20-Mar-07

Réponse Conjointe De Jadranko Prlic, Slobodan Praljak Et Berislav Pusic À La Demande De Certification De L'appel De La Décision Rendue Par La Chambre De Première Instance Le 1er Mars 2007 Présentée Par L'accusation

Prlic and Others

20-Mar-07

Réponse De Bruno Stojic À La Demande De Certification De L'appel De La Décision Rendue Par La Chambre De Première Instance Le 1er Mars 2007 Présentée Par L'accusation

Prlic and Others

20-Mar-07

Demande De Slobodan Praljak Visant À Obtenir L'autorisation De Déposer Une Réplique Et Réplique Faisant Suite À La Réponse Faite Par L'accusation À L'objection De La Défense

Prlic and Others

20-Mar-07

Demande D'autorisation De Déposer Une Réplique Et Réplique Faisant Suite À La Réponse Unique De L'accusation À La Requête Tendant À Faire Supprimer De L'acte D'accusation Certains Passages Alléguant La Coaction, La Coaction Indirecte, La Perpétration Indi

Prlic and Others

16-Mar-07

Order To Admit Evidence Regarding Witness Omer Dilberovic

Prlic and Others

16-Mar-07

Order To Admit Evidence Regarding Witness Dzemal Barakovic

Prlic and Others

20-Mar-07

Demande D'autorisation De Déposer Une Réplique Faisant Suite À La Réponse De L'accusation Du 7 Mars 2007, Présentée Par Milivoj Petkovic

Prlic and Others (Interlocutory)

19-Mar-07

Petkovic Defence Response To Prosecution Notice Of Decision On Remand

Seselj

20-Mar-07

Déclaration Du Greffe En Application De L'article 33 B) Du Règlement De Procédure Et De Preuve Au Sujet Des Fonds Alloués Au Conseil D'appoint

Seselj

19-Mar-07

Décision Relative À La Demande De Dessaisissement Des Juges Alphons Orie. Patrick Robinson Et Frank Hopfel

Seselj

20-Mar-07

Requête De L'accusation Aux Fins D'admission Du Témoignage De Milan Babic En Application De L'article 92 Quater Du Règlement, Accompagnée Des Annexes A, B, C Et D

Seselj

19-Mar-07

Scheduling Order For Status Conference

Seselj

19-Mar-07

Ordonnance Chargeant Le Juge De La Mise En État De Certaines Fonctions

Seselj

19-Mar-07

Appel Interjeté Par Vojislav Seselj Contre La Lettre/La Décision Du Greffier Du 16 Février 2007

Seselj

16-Mar-07

Observations Du Greffier Relatives À L'appel Interjeté Par Vojislav Seselj Contre Les Décisions Du Greffier Du 28 Décembre 2006 Et Du 9 Février 2007

Seselj

16-Mar-07

Décision Relative À L'appel Formé Contre La Décision Du Greffe Du 19 Décembre 2006

Stanisic & Simatovic

19-Mar-07

Prosecution Request For Leave To Reply And Reply To "Defence Response To Third Prosecution Motion For Pre-Trial Protective Measures For Witnesses"