THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, May 9 (Hina) - The Hague tribunal's prosecution has requested a 119-day deadline extension for the presentation of evidence against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, until February 2004. The whole trial
might last another three years.
THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, May 9 (Hina) - The Hague tribunal's prosecution
has requested a 119-day deadline extension for the presentation of
evidence against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic,
until February 2004. The whole trial might last another three
years. #L#
A trial chamber presided by Richard May had given the prosecution
until 16 May this year to produce evidence, but another 54 days were
added and the deadline set for September after the trial was
adjourned several times due to the defendant's poor health.
During Thursday's debate on a new extension, chief prosecutor
Geoffrey Nice announced testimonies by 128 of a total of 169
witnesses for genocide in Bosnia and war crimes in Croatia. He said
the part of the proceedings referring to genocide in Bosnia was far
more extensive than for war crimes in Kosovo and Croatia.
Judge May said the trial chamber would decide after considering
Nice's request but noted the prosecution had already exceeded every
deadline.
Amicus curiae Branislav Tapuskovic said the defendant should be
given the equal amount of time as the prosecution to introduce
evidence, which means the trial would last at least three more
years.
A dozen more witnesses have to testify for crimes committed in
Croatia. The prosecution started introducing witnesses for Bosnia
late in March.
(hina) ha