Any attempt to conduct the trial in Milosevic's absence, abusing the fact that his health is impaired, would shatter all illusions about this trial, reads a statement by the ICDSM, which includes former US attorney general Ramsey Clark, Russian Parliament Deputy Speaker Sergei Baburin and other "prominent lawyers, professors, artists and public figures from all around the world".
"When the health of President Milosevic improves, he will continue the battle for the truth and justice which he has been waging in The Hague for the benefit of the Serb people and entire humankind," the Committee said in a conclusion presented at a news conference on Sunday.
Clark told reporters he hoped Milosevic would be freed and the unlawful Hague tribunal convicted. Baburin said that the Milosevic trial was crucial for Europe because the former Yugoslav president fought for common sense, the right of a state to exist and international law.
The goal of the ICDSM is to see Milosevic released and those responsible for the killing of civilians in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia accused, ICDSM members said.
Milosevic, whose trial before the Hague war crimes tribunal started in February 2002, did not appear before the trial chamber last Friday due to an illness. The trial is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.