Trial of ex-security chief adjourned until April

The war crimes trial of ex-state security chief Jovica Stanisic has been adjourned until April 1. The trial of Stanisic and his former deputy, Frank Simatovic, was scheduled to begin yesterday at the Hague Tribunal, but was postponed because Stanisic felt sick and “deeply depressed.” Trial of ex-security chief adjourned until April Presiding judge Patrick Robinson said that, according to the last medical report, the defendant was suffering from a problem with his digestive system called pouchitis, kidney stones and osteoporosis. “Emotionally, Stanisic is in deep depression, is visiting a psychiatrist, and the treatment will last for a long time because the causes are of a long-term nature. The depression is making his physical condition worse and vice versa,” Robinson said, quoting the doctor’s report. The gastroenterologist that examined Stanisic confirmed that he was in no fit state to attend court today, and could not predict when he would be able to attend court at all. The gastroenterologist will submit a full report on the defendant’s health to the trail chamber soon. Prison doctors stated that any further medical check-ups on Stanisic could be “counterproductive” because they could “make the tension and depression even worse.” The trial chamber announced that the trial would be adjourned until April 1, and ruled that an independent psychiatrist should examine and submit a report on Stanisic by March 31. Robinson said that the trial chamber would take the reports of the psychiatrist, gastroenterologist and prison doctors into consideration when deciding on when the trail should resume. The judge said that he hoped Stanisic would be able to appear in court on April 1, and wished him a speedy recovery. The defendant’s legal team asked for the trial to be adjourned in early 2008 because of his illnesses, but the trial chamber decided against it. On returning from temporarily release prior to the beginning of the trial, a team of independent doctors and specialists submitted their reports on his health at the end of February. The trial chamber heard arguments from defense and prosecution medical experts during a private meeting in early March. Stanisic (57 ) and Simatovic (57) are accused of committing war crimes against Croats and Muslims during the wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina between 1991 and 1995. According to the indictment, the two are accused of participating in a united criminal action led by former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, with the goal of permanently ridding large areas of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina of non-Serb residents in order to expand the Serbian state.

Trial of ex-security chief adjourned until April

Presiding judge Patrick Robinson said that, according to the last medical report, the defendant was suffering from a problem with his digestive system called pouchitis, kidney stones and osteoporosis.

“Emotionally, Stanišić is in deep depression, is visiting a psychiatrist, and the treatment will last for a long time because the causes are of a long-term nature. The depression is making his physical condition worse and vice versa,” Robinson said, quoting the doctor’s report.

The gastroenterologist that examined Stanišić confirmed that he was in no fit state to attend court today, and could not predict when he would be able to attend court at all.

The gastroenterologist will submit a full report on the defendant’s health to the trail chamber soon.

Prison doctors stated that any further medical check-ups on Stanišić could be “counterproductive” because they could “make the tension and depression even worse.”

The trial chamber announced that the trial would be adjourned until April 1, and ruled that an independent psychiatrist should examine and submit a report on Stanišić by March 31.

Robinson said that the trial chamber would take the reports of the psychiatrist, gastroenterologist and prison doctors into consideration when deciding on when the trail should resume.

The judge said that he hoped Stanišić would be able to appear in court on April 1, and wished him a speedy recovery.

The defendant’s legal team asked for the trial to be adjourned in early 2008 because of his illnesses, but the trial chamber decided against it.

On returning from temporarily release prior to the beginning of the trial, a team of independent doctors and specialists submitted their reports on his health at the end of February.

The trial chamber heard arguments from defense and prosecution medical experts during a private meeting in early March.

Stanišić (57 ) and Simatović (57) are accused of committing war crimes against Croats and Muslims during the wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina between 1991 and 1995.

According to the indictment, the two are accused of participating in a united criminal action led by former Serbian President Slobodan Milošević, with the goal of permanently ridding large areas of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina of non-Serb residents in order to expand the Serbian state.