Celebici case: the Prosecutor is granted leave to drop one of the murder charges against Esad Landzo.

In an Order dated 21 April 1997, Trial Chamber II granted leave to the Prosecution "to withdraw counts 9 and 10 of the indictment" against the Accused Esad LANDZO.

The Prosecution had filed the request that these two counts charging the Accused with the beating to death of a person with the surname MILJANIC be withdrawn because "further investigation has revealed that this charge was based on erroneous information resulting from witness confusion concerning the victim's identity" (see Press Release 178-E).

Prejudice extended

The Prosecutor had also requested the withdrawal of the counts "with prejudice," i.e. "that these charges may not be raised against the accused at a later time".

The Trial Chamber has indeed granted the leave sought with prejudice but has extended it to the co-accused of Esad LANDZO. The Order reads: "Hereby grants the Prosecution leave to withdraw counts 9 and 10 of the indictment with prejudice such that the charges set forth in the said counts shall not be raised against any of the four accused persons at a later date" (emphasis added).

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