War Crimes: Miloševic Communications Limites Eased

UN War Crimes Tribunal Eases Limits On Miloševic Communications

The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has eased the telephone communications restrictions on former Yugoslav President Slobodan Miloševic and Serbian politician Vojislav Šešelj.

The deputy registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia ( http://www.un.org/icty/latest/index.htm ICTY), which sits in The Hague, announced today that both men now have more latitude in their contacts while they are in detention.

Mr. Miloševic and Mr. Šešelj have been indicted on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes for their roles in the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s. Mr. Miloševic is also indicted for his actions in Kosovo in 1998-99.

Following the registrar's decision, Mr. Miloševic can now make contact with potential witnesses in his trial and attempt to gather evidence. The change comes as the prosecution is about to complete its case against him in his trial. Since December Mr. Miloševic had been restricted to contacts with his family, lawyers and consular or diplomatic representatives only.

Mr. Šešelj is now allowed to contact his family, lawyers and consular or diplomatic representatives, although his contacts with his family will be monitored.

His contacts had been more tightly restricted since early last month after he breached previous rules about contacts with the media and others.

© Scoop Media