THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - The trial of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic continued before the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague on Thursday with a protected prosecution witness giving testimony in a closed
session.
THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - The trial of former Yugoslav
president Slobodan Milosevic continued before the UN war crimes
tribunal in The Hague on Thursday with a protected prosecution
witness giving testimony in a closed session. #L#
During a brief open part of the session, Milosevic protested at the
decision of the Trial Chamber to go into closed session to ensure
the highest possible degree of protection for the witness.
"I am categorically against the statements of some sort of secret
witnesses," Milosevic said before he was cut short by Judge Richard
May who said that the decision would not be reviewed.
Milosevic said that there was no reason for witness B-1021 to
testify in a closed session.
The prosecutors have 27 work days left for the presentation of their
evidence against Milosevic, who is charged with genocide in Bosnia-
Herzegovina and crimes against humanity in Croatia and Kosovo.
With hearings taking place three times a week owing to the ill
health of the accused, the prosecutors believe that they will
complete their part of the proceedings by the end of February next
year, after which Milosevic will be given three months to prepare
his witnesses and defence evidence.
The trial will continue next week with testimony by Hrvoje Sarinic,
a close aide to the late Croatian president Franjo Tudjman and the
author of the book "My Negotiations with Milosevic".
Also next week, Milosevic will complete the cross-examination of
Ante Markovic, the last prime minister of the former Yugoslav
federation.
(hina) vm sb