Separovic said that the decision was wrong and in contravention of the existing court practice and principles of fair trial because it left his client, General Mladen Markac, without defence counsel of his own choosing two months before the start of the trial.
On March 6, the trial chamber decided that Separovic was no longer eligible to represent Markac because he was in conflict of interest on two grounds -- he had a personal interest in the case to protect himself as a former justice minister whose ministry may be potentially responsible for omissions, and because the defence team representing General Ante Gotovina had indicated him as an essential witness on the issue of functioning of military courts.
In his request filed on March 12, Separovic reiterated he was not in conflict of interest. Attached to the request was a statement made by General Markac on March 8, in which he insists that Separovic continue to represent him.
Markac said that the removal of Separovic from the defence team was not in his interest and that the court's decision was unfair and illegal.
Markac said he had contacted several lawyers and that they all declined to represent him because of shortage of time. He added that the whole affair had affected his health. "I feel weak and I am not able to go once again through all the preparations for my defence with another person."