Date: 18.11.2008
Time: 12:00
Registry and Chambers:
Nerma Jelačić, Spokesperson for Registry and Chambers, made the following statement:
Good afternoon,
Let me first highlight the key events and decision of the past couple of days.
Yesterday marked the commencement of Judge Patrick Robinson’s mandate as the sixth President of the ICTY. In a statement issued on that occasion, President Robinson expressed his dedication to continue steering the Tribunal towards the successful completion of its mandate.
A new rule, 45ter "Assignment of Counsel in the Interests of Justice", entered into force on Thursday 13 November 2008. The amendment, adopted at the extraordinary plenary session held on 4 November, reads: "The Trial Chamber may, if it decides that it is in the interests of justice, instruct the Registrar to assign a counsel to represent the interests of the accused."
A decision filed today in Lukić and Lukić granted Milan Lukić’s motion for extension of time to prepare the defence case in chief. Sredoje Lukić will commence presenting his defence on 1 December followed by Milan Lukić.
Turning to the court schedule:
Following a joinder of the indictment raised against Mico Stanišić and Stojan Župljanin, Trial Chamber II has ordered a Status Conference and further appearance for both accused for Thursday 20 November 2008 at 15:00 in court room III. The accused are charged with crimes against humanity and violations of laws or customs of war committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the scheduled Status Conference the accused are expected to re-enter a plea on the joint indictment. The accused Mićo Stanišić, currently on provisional release, will not be present at the Status Conference and will enter his plea by a video-conference link from Belgrade.
On Monday next week a Status Conference in the case against Dragomir Milošević will take place at 8:00 in court room II. Dragomir Milošević was sentenced to 33 years’ imprisonment for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war. The case is now pending before the Appeals Chamber.
Another status conference has been scheduled for the in the case of Lahi Brahimaj who will appear in courtroom II at 15:00. Lahi Brahimaj was convicted for cruel treatment and torture committed against the Serbs in Kosovo and sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment. His co-accused Ramush Haradinaj and Idriz Balaj were acquitted of all charges by Trial Chamber with no appeals filed.
The trials for Gotovina and others, Popović and others, Vojislav Šešelj and Momčilo Perišić will continue this week. The trial of Prlić and others resumed today and will continue this and next week.
As you know, the schedule is subject to last minute changes so please check our website for the latest updates.
Office of the Prosecutor:
Olga Kavran, Spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor, made no statement.
Questions:
No questions were asked.