Hague: Holbrooke agreement irrelevant

The Hague Tribunal says that the existence of any agreement between Radovan Karadzic and Richard Holbrooke will have no bearing on the trial. The Hague Tribunal earlier decided to allow Radovan Karadzic partial access to documents on his alleged meeting with Richard Holbrooke in Belgrade in July 1996. Hague: Holbrooke agreement irrelevant The Trial Chamber with Judge Ian Bonomy (presiding) yesterday ordered the prosecution to avail Karadzic of written documentation in its possession, as well as of notes and footage filmed on July 18/19, 1996, read a statement from the Tribunal. However, the Tribunal has now said that the existence of any such document will have no bearing on the trial, due to open in the spring. Hague Tribunal spokeswoman Nerma Jelacic said that "what's important in this decision is that even if an agreement exists, it would have no significance for a person charged with genocide and war crimes or crimes aganst humanity before an international court." "Quite simply, that kind of immunity cannot be given, particularly not in the context of the Tribunal. No body, not even the prosecution, can make agreements on behalf of the Tribunal," she underlined. The former Bosnian Serb leader has in recent months asked to be granted access to certain documents and information that attest to the existence of an alleged agreement between him and the U.S., in the shape of Holbrooke, dating back to 1996 guaranteeing him immunity from prosecution provided he withdraw from political life. He has addressed the prosecution directly in his search for the material “of paramount importance for the preparation of his defense.“ In the motion submitted to the prosecution on the orders of the Trial Chamber, Karadzic asked to be allowed to inspect and publish all information in the prosecution’s possession relating to the alleged agreement signed with Holbrooke on July 18 or 19, 1996. The war crimes suspect has also requested reports and statements that point to the prosecution’s concern "at the existence of an offer to the accused that will affect his criminal prosecution,” and that he will “refer to the existence of an agreement with Holbrooke.” Karadzic is also seeking information on links between the U.S. and the prosecutor's office, including details on assistance offered by the U.S. to the prosecution in the field of human resources. According to the motion, the accused intends to base his defence on the claim that Holbrooke promised him immunity from prosecution on condition that he withdraw from public and political life. Radovan Karadzic (FoNet, archive)

Hague: Holbrooke agreement irrelevant

The Trial Chamber with Judge Ian Bonomy (presiding) yesterday ordered the prosecution to avail Karadžić of written documentation in its possession, as well as of notes and footage filmed on July 18/19, 1996, read a statement from the Tribunal.

However, the Tribunal has now said that the existence of any such document will have no bearing on the trial, due to open in the spring.

Hague Tribunal spokeswoman Nerma Jelačić said that "what's important in this decision is that even if an agreement exists, it would have no significance for a person charged with genocide and war crimes or crimes aganst humanity before an international court."

"Quite simply, that kind of immunity cannot be given, particularly not in the context of the Tribunal. No body, not even the prosecution, can make agreements on behalf of the Tribunal," she underlined.

The former Bosnian Serb leader has in recent months asked to be granted access to certain documents and information that attest to the existence of an alleged agreement between him and the U.S., in the shape of Holbrooke, dating back to 1996 guaranteeing him immunity from prosecution provided he withdraw from political life.

He has addressed the prosecution directly in his search for the material “of paramount importance for the preparation of his defense.“

In the motion submitted to the prosecution on the orders of the Trial Chamber, Karadžić asked to be allowed to inspect and publish all information in the prosecution’s possession relating to the alleged agreement signed with Holbrooke on July 18 or 19, 1996.

The war crimes suspect has also requested reports and statements that point to the prosecution’s concern "at the existence of an offer to the accused that will affect his criminal prosecution,” and that he will “refer to the existence of an agreement with Holbrooke.”

Karadžić is also seeking information on links between the U.S. and the prosecutor's office, including details on assistance offered by the U.S. to the prosecution in the field of human resources.

According to the motion, the accused intends to base his defence on the claim that Holbrooke promised him immunity from prosecution on condition that he withdraw from public and political life.