THE HAGUE, Oct 29 (Hina) - After a marathon reading of an expanded indictment for crimes committed in Kosovo and an indictment for crimes committed in Croatia, the Hague war crimes tribunal on Monday afternoon decided to note that
former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic pleaded not guilty to charges in both indictments.
THE HAGUE, Oct 29 (Hina) - After a marathon reading of an expanded
indictment for crimes committed in Kosovo and an indictment for
crimes committed in Croatia, the Hague war crimes tribunal on
Monday afternoon decided to note that former Yugoslav president
Slobodan Milosevic pleaded not guilty to charges in both
indictments. #L#
British judge Richard May decided that a torrent of objections made
by the former Yugoslav president, who said the indictments were
false and the court biased and he therefore did not recognise it,
should be noted as a plea of not guilty.
It is absurd to accuse Serbia and Serbs of Croatia's armed secession
which caused the civil war and suffering, Milosevic said. Crimes
were committed against Serbs, he said.
Milosevic's entering his plea was watched from the court gallery by
Croatia's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Jaksa Muljacic, and the
president of the Croatian government's office for cooperation with
the Hague tribunal, Orsat Miljanic.
Monday's hearing was not different from his previous appearances
before the court as Milosevic continued to level the same
accusations at the tribunal, and judge May responded in the same
manner by turning off his microphone.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for
former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Carla del Ponte, was present during the
entire hearing.
The former Yugoslav president has been in custody at the Hague
detention centre for four months, since late June this year, when
Belgrade handed him over for crimes committed in Kosovo during
1999.
Security measures were tightened this time as well, including the
setting up of a fence and numerous check points around the court
building.
The fact that he did not wear a jacket but only a shirt for the most
part of the hearing, proved today's marathon was too much for
Milosevic as well.
Contrary to the tribunal's practice that indictees should enter
their pleas standing up, judge May did not even attempt to urge
Milosevic to stand up before entering his plea.
The hearing continues on Tuesday afternoon with a status
conference.
(hina) rml