Serbia votes for legal aid for Milosevic and Co

Serbia votes for legal aid for Milosevic and Co.
Fonet - March 30, 2004

BELGRADE -- Tuesday – The Serbian Parliament has adopted a law providing Serb war crimes suspects in The Hague with the right to apply for financial aid from the state for their defense and families’ travel expenses.

The legislation was backed by 141 of 204 MPs present. Thirty-five voted against.

The vote split Serbia’s minority government, with the Democratic Party of Serbia led by Vojislav Kostunica voting alongside the Serbian Radical Party and the Socialist Party of Serbia in favor of the bill. The coalition of New Serbia and Serbian Renewal Movement defied Kostunica by voting against, while G17 Plus abstained. The Democratic Party, the driving force of the former government, also voted against the bill.

The law envisages an unspecified allowance for suspects standing trial at the UN tribunal. The state will also cover legal fees and travel expenses for family members while they visit them, suspects’ telephone calls and correspondence with their families.