Moscow, 18 September 2003
Adjourn the trial for two years
The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
(ICTY) at The Hague has made a decision to provide the former President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the political prisoner Slobodan Milosevic, with only three months to prepare his defense. It is an outrageous, scandalous decision. It is a direct violation of the
international law, which presumes the equality of sides in a court process.
As widely known, the ICTY prosecutors have been collecting the
evidence for more than four years. In that work hundreds of the ICTY
employees took part. And now it is decided that President Milosevic has to prepare his defense in only three months. He has to collect evidence and to communicate with his witnesses while being in a prison cell. That is complete absurdity.
The particular cynicism of the ICTY behavior is seen in the fact
that Slobodan Milosevic still doesn't receive a qualified medical aid,
despite the fact that his health condition raises the most serious concern.
All of this is taking place parallel to practically complete isolation of
President Milosevic from his political allies in Yugoslavia and from his
family. As known, the persecution of the members of Mr. Milosevic`s family under false excuses has deprived his wife and son of the possibility to visit him at the Hague prison.
We strongly condemn the ongoing attempt of political slaughter of the
Serbian leader and the persecution of his family members.
We demand the adjournment of the trial for two years, so that President
Milosevic can prepare his defense in an appropriate way.
We insist on his release from detention for the recuperation of his health and for more effective preparation of defense.
Chairman of the Committee
Alexander Zinoviev