The UN war crimes tribunal has indicted journalists Ivica Marijacic, Domagoj Margetic and Stjepan Seselj, as well as former intelligence chief Markica Rebic, for contempt of court and for publishing the identity and statement of a protected witness in the trial of Tihomir Blaskic. The tribunal is also considering an indictment against a reporter with the "Slobodna Dalmacija" daily, Josip Jovic, for publishing a testimony of a witness in the same trial.
"The CAA believes these indictments represent a fundamental violation of press freedoms and freedom of expression," reads the statement, signed by CAA president George Rudman.
"They are an assault on basic human rights and liberties essential to any democracy. More importantly, this is a clear-cut case of freedom of the press and public's right to information trumping any claims the tribunal may have about witness protection," the statement reads.