Anton Nikiforov was quoted in the Croatian Television's prime time news programme on Monday evening as saying that by insisting to be involved in the cases of Generals Ante Gotovina, Ivan Cermak and Mladen Markac in the capacity of amicus curiae so as to contest the allegation of criminal enterprise in their indictments, the Croatian government had taken sides with the accused.
According to the spokesman, this was the main reason why the ICTY prosecution could not endorse the referral of the said cases to Croatian courts.
Earlier this month, the Ivo Sanader cabinet announced that it would ask the ICTY to become involved as a friend of the court in the cases of Gen. Gotovina and Generals Cermak and Markac, as well as in the ongoing trial of six former Bosnian Croat civilian and military leaders.