"We considered these prosecutions to be improper, and the potential penalties out of all proportion to the alleged offence," said the statement.
"Other news media had reported that (Croatian) President (Stjepan) Mesic was a witness. His safety was no longer threatened when these journalists did it. The (Hague tribunal) itself recognised this when it lifted the secrecy surrounding his testimony," it added.
The journalists' "conviction could have set a dangerous precedent for all members of the press involved in this kind of case. We hope that the other Croatian journalist still facing contempt of court charges, Josip Jovic, will not be prosecuted either," the statement said.
Del Ponte decided against prosecuting Stjepan Seselj, Domagoj Margetic and Marijan Krizic in order to reduce the number of indictments and improve the UN court's efficiency, it was said in The Hague earlier today.