The problem of possible conflict of interest arose when the defence team of General Ante Gotovina announced the possibility of calling to the witness stand General Rahim Ademi, Prodanovic and Slokovic's other client.
The two attorneys then submitted statements by their two clients saying that they were fully acquainted with all aspects of possible conflict of interest and wanted Prodanovic and Slokovic to continue representing them - Cermak in The Hague and Ademi in Croatia.
The two attorneys also proposed hiring a third lawyer for the purpose of cross-examination, in case General Ademi was summoned to appear in The Hague, but the trial chamber in charge of the case did not accept this.
Explaining its decision to remove Prodanovic and Slokovic from the Cermak case, the trial chamber said that their continued involvement in the case would prevent Cermak from building his defence on shifting responsibility to two of his superiors - General Ante Gotovina and his deputy, General Rahim Ademi, because of the attorneys' duty of loyalty to Ademi, whom they represent before a Croatian court.
The trial chamber urged appointing new defence attorneys for Cermak, binding Prodanovic and Slokovic to assist them in preparations for the trial.