RETRIAL OF ANTO FURUNZDIJA POSTPONED

( Editorial: --> 5918 ) THE HAGUE, Aug 25 (Hina) - The re-opening of the trial of Anto Furundzija, scheduled for mid-September, has been postponed following an objection by the defence to the Appeals Chamber concerning the decision on re-opening the trial, said Furundzija's attorney Luka Misetic. Judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) decided in July to reopen the trial against Furundzija after it was completed in June. This decision was made because it was established that the prosecutor had violated court regulations by failing to disclose to the defence that the key witness in the case had suffered from post- traumatic stress and memory disorder, a factor which could affect her credibility as a witness who identified the defendant. The witness was a victim of rape committed in May 1993. Furundzija was accused of being present during the rape, interrogating the victim and failing to prevent the crime. The judges ordered that the court proceedings be reopened and the key witness heard again in the light of new evidence on her psychological condition. However, the defence, which does not want the re-opening of the trial, has requested that the witness' testimony be struck out from the court records. The Appeals Chamber is now to decide whether to accept the defence's request or the decision of the Trial Chamber. (hina) rml 252105 MET aug 98