Jovic, a former editor of the Croatian daily newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija, is accused of violating a court order for the identity of a witness appearing in a trial at the Tribunal not be released to the public. Specifically, the prosecution alleges that between 27 November and 29 December 2000, Jovic published the identity of the witness, as well as extracts of the testimony of the witness even after the court ordered him on 1 December 2000 not to do so.
In October 2005, Jovic was arrested by Croatian authorities and transferred to the Tribunal after he failed to respond to a court order requiring him to travel to The Hague to enter a plea to the charge against him. He entered a "not guilty" plea on 14 October 2005 and was released pending the start of the trial.
Stressing that the Trial Chamber had shown more understanding for his situation and partly accepted his request for postponement, Jovic said that the prosecution's reaction showed the inconsiderate and inhumane side of the institution of the Prosecutor's Office and the people working there.
"I requested that the trial be rescheduled because of my wife's condition and an inability to find a proper care for her and not for any other reason," Jovic said, expressing hope his family situation would be better in eights days and that he would attend the trial.
The presiding judge re-scheduled the start of trial for next Tuesday and informed parties that the Trial Chamber would issue an arrest warrant for Jovic"s arrest should he again fail to appear for trial.