Court spokesman Golčevski confirmed: Praljak died in hospital

THE HAGUE, (Patria) - Nenad Golčevski, spokesman for the Hague Tribunal, addressed the media today following the events in the courtroom and the death of Slobodan Praljak

The ICTY Appeals Chamber on Wednesday in The Hague delivered the appellate judgment in the case of Prlić et al.

After the Appeals Chamber confirmed Praljak's first-instance sentence of 20 years in prison, he told them: "Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal and I reject your verdict with contempt" and drank the contents of a vial.

Presiding Judge Carmel Agius interrupted him with the words "stop, please" and then continued delivering the verdict for General Milivoj Petković. Soon, one of Praljak's lawyers, Nataša Faveau Ivanović, addressed the presiding judge, telling him that her client had just told her he had taken poison.

Judge Agius then called for the curtains in the courtroom to be lowered and adjourned the hearing.

- Mr. Praljak was taken to a nearby hospital for further medical assistance and died there. In accordance with standard procedures, the Dutch authorities have launched an independent investigation. The International Tribunal expressed condolences to the family members - said Golčevski.

The Hague Tribunal delivered guilty verdicts against six Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Former President of the Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna, Jadranko Prlić, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Defence Minister Bruno Stojić to 20 years, two HVO chiefs of staff, Slobodan Praljak and Milivoj Petković, to 20 years each, HVO Military Police Commander Valentin Ćorić to 16 years, and Head of the Department for Prisoners Berislav Pušić to 10 years in prison.

The initial indictment against Prlić, Stojić, Praljak, Petković, Ćorić and Pušić was confirmed on 4 March 2004, and a second amended indictment was filed on 11 June 2008 and became the operative indictment.

The aforementioned six individuals voluntarily surrendered to the Hague Tribunal on 5 April 2004.

The trial began on 26 April 2006, and closing arguments were presented from 7 February to 2 March 2011.