THE HAGUE – The Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) denied on Monday the renewed motion of the prosecution for the trial of former Republic of Serb Krajina president Goran Hadzic to be promptly resumed and completed due to the defendant’s deteriorating health.
The prosecution’s motion requesting that defense witnesses give their testimonies through depositions and not ‘viva voce’ would be a violation of Hadzic’s rights, the ICTY Trial Chamber said.
The motion to expedite the trial and the verdict is premature and unjustified, the Trial Chamber said.
Hadzic’s defense team filed a motion last month for the ICTY to end the proceedings or suspend the trial, citing that it cannot be reasonably expected that the trial will be completed.
The defense pointed out that Hadzic has been diagnosed with brain tumor and entered the end stage of the disease.
Hadzic is indicted for war crimes against Croats in Eastern Slavonia and Kninska Krajina between 1991 and 1993.
The trial has been adjourned since October 2014 when Hadzic fell ill in court detention. In late May 2015 he was allowed to return to Serbia and continue his treatment.
News Source: In News
