News

Milosevic refuses to recognise UN Tribunal

Tuesday, 3 July 2001 20:51

Slobodan Milosevic has refused to be defended by lawyers, saying that he does not recognise the UN War Crimes Tribunal. The former Yugoslav President was making his first appearance before the court in The Hague.

"I consider this Tribunal a false tribunal, and indictments false indictments. It is illegal, not being appointed by the UN General Assembly, so I have no need to appoint a lawyer," he said in English. The presiding British Judge, Richard May, interrupted him saying, "Mr Milosevic, this is not the time for speeches. You will have full opportunity to defend yourself and make your defence before the Tribunal".

The ousted Yugoslav President is charged with three counts of crimes against humanity and one of violations of the laws or customs of war for atrocities committed during ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in 1999.

When Judge May asked him whether he wanted the full 54-page indictment read out to him in Serbian, as was his right, Mr Milosevic replied in English: "That is your problem". After consulting his colleagues on the bench, the Judge added: "We will treat your response as waiving your right to have the indictment read."

Judge May, who repeatedly asked Mr Milosevic to reconsider his decision not to appoint defence counsel, said that the next hearing would be in the week starting August 27, although tribunal officials said that an earlier date was possible.

Wearing a dark suit with white shirt and striped tie in red, white and blue, the Yugoslav colours, Mr Milosevic stared impassively at Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, the three judges and the journalists, in a packed media gallery separated from the court by bullet-proof glass, during the hearing.

Mr Milosevic, flanked by two guards, appeared composed throughout. He dismissed his two Belgrade defence attorneys yesterday and sat alone on the defence side of the special court. The Belgrade lawyers, who met Mr Milosevic for several hours yesterday, said that he regarded the Tribunal as part of a mechanism to commit genocide against the Serbian people and to cover up war crimes committed by NATO.