WASHINGTON, May 10 (Hina) - The Hague Prosecution has so far withdrawn 20 cases ahead of the trial of which 14 were withdrawn even before the accused arrived before the international war crimes tribunal, so claims by an anonymous
Croatian government official that the charges against Ante Gotovina cannot be changed are unfounded, Gotovina's attorney, Luka Misetic told Hina on Friday.
WASHINGTON, May 10 (Hina) - The Hague Prosecution has so far
withdrawn 20 cases ahead of the trial of which 14 were withdrawn
even before the accused arrived before the international war crimes
tribunal, so claims by an anonymous Croatian government official
that the charges against Ante Gotovina cannot be changed are
unfounded, Gotovina's attorney, Luka Misetic told Hina on Friday.
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What is more, chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte has an obligation to
check the charges in all cases and if new evidence should be
produced and in keeping with a UN Declaration from 1990, charges can
be changed or withdrawn if they are shown to be unjustified, Misetic
added.
On Friday, an unnamed senior official at the Croatian government
stated that del Ponte has remained consistent not to change charges
prior to the start of the trial proceedings, and that not one UN body
can change a decision made by The Hague Tribunal.
No-one can do anything in this regard. This is a concrete matter,
the high official said.
Misetic reminded that Ante Gotovina's defence attorneys would like
to meet with the Prosecution in The Hague and to present new
evidence to prove that the charges against Gotovina are
unjustified.
We are being prevented by the Croatian government determination to
stop us from accessing evidence, he reminded.
(hina) lml sb