THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - The trial chamber of the UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in charge of the trial of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic has appointed Belgrade attorney Branko Rakic the third
legal counsel for the accused, the chamber's presiding judge, Richard May, said on Tuesday.
THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - The trial chamber of the UN war
crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in charge of the trial of
former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic has appointed
Belgrade attorney Branko Rakic the third legal counsel for the
accused, the chamber's presiding judge, Richard May, said on
Tuesday. #L#
Rakic is a legal expert with whom the defendant may confer in
preparing his defence. He meets the criteria as defined by court
regulations, May said explaining the decision.
As Milosevic's counsel, Rakic will be granted the privilege of
unsupervised contact with the accused, as well as access to
evidence material.
Milosevic has been defending himself in the trial for genocide in
Bosnia-Herzegovina and crimes against humanity in Kosovo, which
started in February 2002. So far, he has been assisted by two legal
advisors in preparing for witness cross-examination.
In a recent discussion on the effects of Milosevic's poor health on
the course of the trial, the tribunal's prosecution requested that
the trial chamber rename one of the two "amici curiae" (friends of
the court) assisting Milosevic into his defence attorney, but the
request was opposed by both the amici curiae and Milosevic.
Rakic should help Milosevic prepare for the presentation of
defence, for which the trial chamber has ruled a three-month
recess. After the prosecution ends the presentation of evidence
material at the end of this year, the trial will be adjourned.
It will probably resume on 1 April 2004 with the presentation of
evidence by the defence.
(hina) rml