THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, Dec 5 (Hina) - Montenegrin journalist Dusko Jovanovic, charged by the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague with contempt of court, declined to enter a plea at his initial appearance on Friday, using the possibility to
do so within 30 days.
THE HAGUE/ZAGREB, Dec 5 (Hina) - Montenegrin journalist Dusko
Jovanovic, charged by the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague with
contempt of court, declined to enter a plea at his initial
appearance on Friday, using the possibility to do so within 30 days.
#L#
Jovanovic, 39, editor-in-chief of the Podgorica-based daily "Dan",
was charged with contempt of court by the tribunal in August this
year after he had revealed in his newspaper the identity of
protected witness K-32 in the trial of former Yugoslav president
Slobodan Milosevic.
Jovanovic said in court there was "objective responsibility" in his
case because he is the director and editor-in-chief of "Dan", but
that there was no "subjective guilt" because he did not intend to
disrespect the tribunal or put the witness in danger. He added that
he would elaborate it in consultation with lawyers.
On August 30, 2002, "Dan" published an article headlined "Dan Finds
Out the Identity of Hague Tribunal Protected Witness K-32", after
which the witness, who had testified about war crimes committed in
Kosovo, received death threats.
Jovanovic had previously told tribunal investigators he disclosed
the witness's identity to increase the paper's circulation
although he was aware that that could put the witness in danger.
Jovanovic faces seven years in prison, a fine of 100,000 euros, or a
combination of a prison sentence and a fine if convicted.
(hina) vm sb