Lawyer says Mladić is "unfit to testify"

Ratko Mladic's lawyer, Milos Saljic, says he will advise his client not to testify in hearings concerning several cases. The former military leader of Serbs in Bosnia was invited to testify regarding the crimes committed against Serbs in Bosnia, the murder of two soldiers in army barracks in Belgrade, and the illegal weapons possession case brought against his wife. Lawyer says Mladic is "unfit to testify" But Saljic told B92 that he would advise Mladic to only give his statement concerning the case against his wife, "since that's very simple, he only needs to say several sentences". The lawyer however noted that the final decision will rest with his client. "As for the hearing regarding the suffering of Serbs, I said he could not, because that's an extensive subject, and his attention can't span five minutes, let alone two hours. As for the Guards' deaths, I said that hearing lacked any meaning. What does he have to do with that shelter? He never stayed there and he should not declare himself on that," Saljic explained. The lawyer added that this was his personal stance and recommendation. Saljic said that should the appeal against Mladic's extradition to the Hague - which he sent by mail on Monday afternoon - reach the Special Court this morning, it would be debated today. It has in the meantime been confirmed that the appeal had arrived at the court. The lawyer also stated that there was still no response to his request to have an independent team of doctors examine Mladic, and that there was discussion about the former general's legal team that would represent him at the Hague Tribunal. Saljic revealed that he submitted a new medical report to the investigative judge, "that could change the situation substantially". According to him, the report concerns the period of two years ago, and shows that his client was diagnosed with a "serious illness". "I cannot discuss the report. It was submitted anonymously, but from well-informed sources, and the judge will check it," Saljic concluded. Milos Saljic talks to reporters this morning (Tanjug)

Lawyer says Mladić is "unfit to testify"

But Šaljić told B92 that he would advise Mladić to only give his statement concerning the case against his wife, "since that's very simple, he only needs to say several sentences".

The lawyer however noted that the final decision will rest with his client.

"As for the hearing regarding the suffering of Serbs, I said he could not, because that's an extensive subject, and his attention can't span five minutes, let alone two hours. As for the Guards' deaths, I said that hearing lacked any meaning. What does he have to do with that shelter? He never stayed there and he should not declare himself on that," Šaljić explained.

The lawyer added that this was his personal stance and recommendation.

Šaljić said that should the appeal against Mladić's extradition to the Hague - which he sent by mail on Monday afternoon - reach the Special Court this morning, it would be debated today.

It has in the meantime been confirmed that the appeal had arrived at the court.

The lawyer also stated that there was still no response to his request to have an independent team of doctors examine Mladić, and that there was discussion about the former general's legal team that would represent him at the Hague Tribunal.

Šaljić revealed that he submitted a new medical report to the investigative judge, "that could change the situation substantially".

According to him, the report concerns the period of two years ago, and shows that his client was diagnosed with a "serious illness".

"I cannot discuss the report. It was submitted anonymously, but from well-informed sources, and the judge will check it," Šaljić concluded.