Archive for the month of April 2010

Republic of Srpska PM: Srebrenica not genocide

Republica Srpska PM Milorad Dodik said he objects to Serbia’s resolution condemning the crimes in Srebrenica, because it suggests genocide was committed.

Dodik said that the truth is different and that he would prove it.

ICTY Chief Prosecutor visits Bosnia-Herzegovina

ICTY chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz arrived in Bosnia-Herzegovina in preparation of his report on cooperation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Croatia with the tribunal. His report will be presented to the Un Security Council in June.

Serbia says it is ready for EU questionnaire

Serbia's director of the European Integration Office, Milica Delevic, said that Serbia will be ready for the EC questionnaire in May. The EU Council of Ministers is expected to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in June, after the report on cooperation with ICTY that will be submitted by chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

ICTY no longer imposes defense attorney on Karadzic

ICTY's trial chamber stated that since Karadzic is no longer obstructing proceedings, the services of his imposed defense attorney Richard Harvey are no longer required. Harvey is now the reserve defense attorney that can be asked to rejoin the trial at any time if ICTY deems this necessary.

Karadzic claims witness testimony false

Radovan Karadzic claimed during the cross-examination of Ahmet Zulic that his testimony about surviving a mass murder in Sanski Most (Bosnia) in 1992 was "completely made up" and that only one single body of a Muslim killed from firearms was exhumed after the war.

The prosecution is expected to call another witness who will testify about crimes committed by VRS troops during the siege of Sarajevo 1992-1995.

Karadzic trial to be resumed

ICTY prosecutors will present evidence in the trial against Radovan Karadzic. The prosecution's first witness should be Ahmet Zulic from Sanski Most in Bosnia. Zulic will testify about murders and abuse of detained non-Serbs in Sanski Most in 1992.

Karadzic intends to cross-examine the witness. But he has told the court he will not be testifying in his own defense, which will deprive prosecutors of the chance to cross-examine him.

BBC reported that so far there has been no evidence from Zulic linking events to Karadzic.

The prosecution will also present evidence in crimes committed by the RS Army against civilians in Sarajevo during 1992-1995.

Source: BBC, B92, ABC net.

Karadzic's motion denied - trial resumes April 13

ICTY's appeal chamber upheld the decision by the trial court and has rejected an appeal by Radovan Karadzic to postpone his genocide trial. Hearings will proceed even without the presence of Karadzic, who says he has not been granted sufficient time to prepare.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 13. Richard Harvey, the appointed counsel in the case, has been ordered to be present.