ICTY Trial of Serb State Security Commander Delayed Again

Despite being found competent to stand trial last week,^[1] the former head of the Serbian secret service under Slobodan Milosevic will have his ICTY trial delayed yet again.^[2]

Jovica Stanisic, who has been suffering from kidney stones and pouchitis, as well as severe depression, had been unable to appear in court due to his illnesses. Stanisic refused to waive his right to appear, but last week the Trial Chamber ruled that a videoconference link could be established to allow him to participate in the proceedings.^[3] The trial was scheduled to commence on April 14, but was delayed yet again this week, as court officials reported a full video link would not be ready until April 28. "We take the view that it is more convenient to await April 28 when the full video link is established to have the pre-trial conference and the opening statements," stated Presiding Judge Patrick Robinson.^[4]

Stanisic and his co-accused, former Serb intelligence officer Franko Simatovic, have been accused of committing war crimes, including murder and persecution, relating to their command over secret units of the Serbian State Security service. These units were allegedly involved in attacks aimed at Croats, Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats, and other non-Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia during the early 1990’s.^[5]

Extensive coverage of the proceedings at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia can be found on the International Crimes Blog.

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[1] ICTY Press Release, Jovica Stanisic Fit to Stand Trial, April 9, 2008 (available at www.un.org/icty).

[2] Foo Yun Chee, Trial of ex-Serbian secret service chief delayed, Reuters, April 14, 2008 (available at www.reuters.com).

[3] ICTY Press Release.

[4] Foo Yun Chee.

[5] ICTY Press Release.