The Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal found the Croatian freelance journalist guilty of "interfering with witnesses by publishing a protected witness list with names and other information on his personal website between 7 July and 2 August 2006. The Trial Chamber also found that he did so despite receiving explicit warning that the material was confidential and under court orders prohibiting publication".
According to a press release issued on the ICTY website "the Trial Chamber was satisfied that Margetic knew that he was interfering with witnesses and that many of the witnesses were protected because of their vulnerability. He was also aware that by publishing the list it was likely that the witnesses would be dissuaded from future cooperation with the Tribunal, that their testimony would be influenced or that they would be exposed to threats and intimidation".
"When determining its sentence, the Trial Chamber took into account that Margetic published information with regard to a considerable number of protected witnesses as well as the personal and psychological consequences the disclosure had on the lives of at least three of the protected witnesses".
Margetic, who will receive credit for the 34 days he spent detained in custody in Croatia, attended today's announcement of the verdict in an ICTY courtroom although he had said last week that he would not travel to The Hague due to his poor health.
The controversial 33-year-old reporter was sitting calmly in the courtroom as the verdict was read out. Later he was transferred from the courtroom to the Scheveningen detention centre to serve his term.
The ICTY Prosecution asked for a prison term of six months and a fine of 50,000 euros.
"The Tribunal has held contempt proceedings against 19 people, including accused, defence counsel, witnesses, journalists and others for charges including intimidating witnesses, refusing to answer questions in court, leaking confidential court documents, and breaching protective measures," the UN court said on its website.