Croatian media face Hague probe

Croatian media face Hague probe

The source of the confidential material remains unknown, but the annex itself is no longer under seal. The pre-trial chamber in Operation Storm case ordered the prosecution Friday  to investigate how the annex got into the hands of the Croatian media.

The order signed by Judge Bakone Moloto notes that the document was confidential on May 28, 2007, when its contents was published first on Croatia’s state television and then in other Croatian written and online media, including newspapers Jutarnji list, Večernji list, and news agency HINA.

The order says thet publishing confidential information is qualified as “a serious violation” of the Tribunal’s rules in the Trial Chamber’s Order. The responsible persons may be charged with contempt of court under Rule 77 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

At the request of General Ante Gotovina’s defense, the Trial Chamber on Thursday lifted the confidentiality from the prosecution document which “clarifies” the indictment against the three Croatian generals, charged with the crimes committed in the course of and after Operation Storm in the summer of 1995.