In a document published on its web site on January 12, the prosecution confirmed that it had sought a six-month prison term and a fine of 50,000 euros for Margetic.
The association "Only Croatia", whose secretary is Margetic, said in the statement, signed by its leader Milovan Sibl, that putting a reporter in prison because he published a truth was intolerable and inappropriate in the democratic world.
The association said that Margetic had not been bound to keep the tribunal's documents confidential and that professional ethics did not allow him to keep socially relevant information hidden from the public.
The Hague trial of the free-lance reporter, charged with disclosing the identity of protected witnesses, was discontinued on November 30 because the time envisaged for the proceedings expired. The trial chamber then stated that it would set another date for the continuation of the trial at which Margetic is expected to complete his statement, while the prosecution and defence counsel will present their closing arguments.