Gotovina calls former RSK army chief to testify

Ante Gotovina has called on the former commander of the Republic of Srpska Krajina Army (VRSK), Mile Mrkšić, to testify in his Hague Tribunal war crimes trial.

Izvor: Beta

Wednesday, 17.06.2009.

14:47

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Ante Gotovina has called on the former commander of the Republic of Srpska Krajina Army (VRSK), Mile Mrksic, to testify in his Hague Tribunal war crimes trial. The former Croatian general is accused of deporting Serbs from the Knin Krajina in 1995. Gotovina calls former RSK army chief to testify Mrksic was sentenced to 20 years by the Tribunal as an accomplice in the murder of Croatian prisoners in Vukovar in 1991 and is expected to testify today. According to Judge Alphons Orie (presiding), Mrksic initially refused to testify as a defense witness in the Gotovina case, but was then subpoenaed by the court. He then responded that he was not ready to testify and that he was not feeling well, adding that he had not talked things over with his lawyer yet. Therefore, said Orie, it was not certain whether Mrksic would be appearing in court today, even though the Tribunal has organized his transportation to the Tribunal building from the prison detention center in Sheveningen. If he refuses to testify, Mrksic could be charged with contempt of court. General Mrksic, who has been at the Tribunal since May 2002 after turning himself in, is expected to be transferred to another European country to serve the rest of his sentence. Gotovina, along with fellow Croatian Generals Ivan Cermak and Mladen Markac, is accused of persecution, forced relocation and deportation of Serb civilians, stealing public and private property, murder and inhumane acts, and cruel treatment of Serb civilians in August and September 1995. Gotovina commanded Operation Storm on August 4-5, 1995; Cermak was the military commander in Knin after the offensive; while Markac was in command of special police units. The case for the defense began in early June. Five witnesses have taken the stand thus far. Ante Gotovina (FoNet, archive)

Gotovina calls former RSK army chief to testify

Mrkšić was sentenced to 20 years by the Tribunal as an accomplice in the murder of Croatian prisoners in Vukovar in 1991 and is expected to testify today.

According to Judge Alphons Orie (presiding), Mrkšić initially refused to testify as a defense witness in the Gotovina case, but was then subpoenaed by the court.

He then responded that he was not ready to testify and that he was not feeling well, adding that he had not talked things over with his lawyer yet.

Therefore, said Orie, it was not certain whether Mrkšić would be appearing in court today, even though the Tribunal has organized his transportation to the Tribunal building from the prison detention center in Sheveningen.

If he refuses to testify, Mrkšić could be charged with contempt of court.

General Mrkšić, who has been at the Tribunal since May 2002 after turning himself in, is expected to be transferred to another European country to serve the rest of his sentence.

Gotovina, along with fellow Croatian Generals Ivan Čermak and Mladen Markač, is accused of persecution, forced relocation and deportation of Serb civilians, stealing public and private property, murder and inhumane acts, and cruel treatment of Serb civilians in August and September 1995.

Gotovina commanded Operation Storm on August 4-5, 1995; Čermak was the military commander in Knin after the offensive; while Markač was in command of special police units.

The case for the defense began in early June. Five witnesses have taken the stand thus far.

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