Evidentiary proceedings remain closed: Objections of Ratko Mladić's defence rejected

The Trial Chamber of the Hague Tribunal has rejected the appeal of the defence of former Commander of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) Ratko Mladić, in which it was stated that the evidentiary proceedings were closed without adequate explanation, reports the Patria news agency. 

In the decision signed by presiding judge Alphons Orie, it is stated that the Chamber “requested confirmation from the defence that there were no more evidentiary submissions, after which it responded to the defence's objections and explained why they do not affect the closure of the evidentiary proceedings”.

“Although the Defence has the right to disagree with the Chamber's decision, there is no basis for the Defence's claim that the Chamber did not provide a clear explanation”, the Orie decision states.

The Trial Chamber announced on Tuesday, 16 August, that the evidentiary proceedings of Mladić's defence had concluded.

Mladić's lawyers then appealed, arguing that the Chamber ordered the closure of the evidentiary proceedings even though the defence stated four times that not all evidence had been presented.

“If the evidentiary proceedings are closed despite the objections of the Defence, then an explanation with a legal basis must be provided. With this submission, the defence requests an explanation of this issue that will contain the legal basis for the Chamber's unilateral decision. The defence repeats for clarity that it has not finished with the evidence and will consider any decision to conclude the evidentiary proceedings a clear violation of the right to a fair trial”, the lawyers stated.

Mladić is charged with genocide in Srebrenica, persecution of Bosniaks and Croats throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina which in six municipalities had the proportions of genocide, shelling and sniping of Sarajevo, and taking members of UNPROFOR hostage. 

(Birn)