Šešelj files appeal

Šešelj files appeal

Šešelj’s latest request is seen as a possible indication that he may return to the trial before the Hague Tribunal.

Šešelj has been on a hunger strike for the last 27 days. His original list of four demands he has put to the Tribunal has meanwhile grown to seven:

1. To allow his family members to visit him in jail

2. To submit all process documents to him in hard copy format, in Serbian language

3. To allow him to choose his own legal advisors. Šešelj has suggested Serb Radical Party (SRS) leadership members

4. To remove David Hooper, the court-appointed defense attorney, from the trial

5. To dismiss the current trial chamber and replace it with a new one

6. To remove the limitation on the length of documents and files Šešelj submits to the court

7. To annul all the court decisions made in his absence, i.e., since November 22.

Today’s demand will be treated as Šešelj’s appeal to the decision to revoke his right to defend himself.

The Tribunal’s president Fausto Pocar said yesterday Šešelj’s appeal, should it be filed, will be reviewed as urgent.

Serbia points to Hague’s responsibility

Meanwhile, Belgrade is urging the Hague Tribunal to prevent the death of Vojislav Šešelj by giving in to his demands.

The Serbian government issued a statement saying that another “tragic event in The Hague tribunal would be unacceptable.”

This more than likely refers to the cases of Slobodan Milosević and the Croatian Serb leader Milan Babić, both of whom died this year in detention of The Hague Tribunal.

Hague spokesperson Refik Hodžić told B92 that Šešelj has no reason to strike and that most of his demands have already been met.

Hodžić said that if Šešelj wants to lead his own defense, he must return to the courtroom.

“We want to see Šešelj involved in the court process, to stop refusing food, to protect his own health.” Hodžić said.