Šešelj rejects written testimonies

Vojislav Seselj has warned that he will not participate at his trial, if the prosecution submits testimonies in writing. At the same time, at a Hague tribunal status conference, where the Serb Radical Party (SRS) leader is accused of crimes against non-Serbs in Croatia, Vojvodina and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Seselj said that he would be giving testimony in his own defense for "ten, fifteen, maybe even twenty days." Seselj rejects written testimonies Prosecutor Christina Dall today announced that she would be calling 102 witnesses during the trial, the majority of whose testimonies would be submitted in written form, after which the accused would have the opportunity to cross-examine them. He has however objected to this, refusing to cross-examine witnesses whose testimonies he has not heard in person, and who, according to him, are unable to repeat the lies prepared for them by the prosecution. "If there are too many such witnesses, you can count me out. That is one option, I haven’t yet decided... For me it’s unacceptable that the majority of the 102 witnesses’ testimonies will be in written form, that can only be for exceptions... If the majority of witnesses are going to be like that, then the trial is pointless, and the trial will take place in my absence, " said Seselj. He added that he also wouldn’t accept the prosecution’s intention to include in their list testimonies of five witnesses who are no longer alive. Last Friday, pre-trial judge Jean-Claude Antonetti announced that Seselj’s trial "must start in November."

Šešelj rejects written testimonies

Prosecutor Christina Dall today announced that she would be calling 102 witnesses during the trial, the majority of whose testimonies would be submitted in written form, after which the accused would have the opportunity to cross-examine them.

He has however objected to this, refusing to cross-examine witnesses whose testimonies he has not heard in person, and who, according to him, are unable to repeat the lies prepared for them by the prosecution.

"If there are too many such witnesses, you can count me out. That is one option, I haven’t yet decided... For me it’s unacceptable that the majority of the 102 witnesses’ testimonies will be in written form, that can only be for exceptions... If the majority of witnesses are going to be like that, then the trial is pointless, and the trial will take place in my absence, " said Šešelj.

He added that he also wouldn’t accept the prosecution’s intention to include in their list testimonies of five witnesses who are no longer alive.

Last Friday, pre-trial judge Jean-Claude Antonetti announced that Šešelj’s trial "must start in November."