ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - In the next few weeks, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Carla Del Ponte, will submit to ICTY judges for confirmation an amended and extended
indictment against Croatian general Ante Gotovina, the spokeswoman for the Prosecutor's Office, Florence Hartmann, said on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - In the next few weeks, the chief prosecutor
of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
(ICTY), Carla Del Ponte, will submit to ICTY judges for
confirmation an amended and extended indictment against Croatian
general Ante Gotovina, the spokeswoman for the Prosecutor's
Office, Florence Hartmann, said on Tuesday. #L#
Hartmann told Hina over the phone Del Ponte said she would amend the
indictment during her lecture at London's School of Economics on
Monday.
Hartmann said that the names of two victims from the indictment, who
in the meantime were proven to be alive, would be withdrawn and that
the indictment would be amended with the names of other victims
whose identity was subsequently established.
The spokeswoman said that the indictment would also be extended but
she would not reveal any details, explaining that she was not
allowed to do it before the competent judge confirmed the amended
and extended indictment.
On 8 June 2001, the ICTY indicted Gotovina for crimes against
humanity and breaches of the laws and customs of war, committed
against Croatian Serbs during a 1995 operation named "Oluja"
(Storm).
The indictment was kept confidential until its unsealing on 26 July
2001.
"Between 17 July 1995 and 15 November 1995, Ante Gotovina, acting
individually and/or in concert with others, including President
Franjo Tudjman, planned, instigated, ordered, committed or
otherwise aided and abetted in the planning, preparation or
execution of the crimes... in the course of, and after, the 'Oluja'
offensive," reads the indictment.
The general is charged with personal and command responsibility.
At the time, he commanded actions in Operation Storm which were
conducted in the U.N. Protected Area Sector South.
He is charged with the persecution, killing and abuse of the local
Serb population and the destruction and plunder of their property.
Under the indictment, he is also responsible for the displacement
of 150,000-200,000 Serbs.
Gotovina has been on the run since the indictment was made public.
(hina) rml