The Hague, 9 January 2004 CVO/P.I.S./814e

REGISTRY EXTENDS COMMUNICATION RESTRICTIONS ON DETAINEES FROM THE TRIBUNAL’S DETENTION UNIT

On 8 January 2004, the Deputy Registrar of the Tribunal, David Tolbert, issued two further Decisions concerning the communication privileges of Vojislav Seselj and Slobodan Milosevic. The Decisions were served on both Accused on 9 January 2004.

On 11 December 2003, the Deputy Registrar of the Tribunal issued two Decisions concerning the rights of detainees in the Tribunal’s Detention Unit to use communications privileges for the purpose of political campaigning in the media (Please see Press Release 810e). Both Decisions are due to expire on 10 January 2004.

Vojislav Seselj case

On 25 December 2003, Vojislav Seselj "flagrantly violated the Decision" of 11 December 2003 which resulted in a subsequent Decision from the Registrar, Hans Holthuis, on 29 December 2003 which prohibited "all communication via telephone between the accused and any person(s) except his legal counsel (if applicable) and diplomatic or consular representatives". This decision is also due to expire on 10 January 2004.

In issuing today’s Decision, the Deputy Registrar considered particularly that Vojislav Seselj had previously violated the 11 December Decision which resulted in the 29 December 2003 Decision.

The Deputy Registrar decided, pursuant to Rules 60 and 63 of the Rules of Detention, for a period of 30 days from 10 January 2004 to:

"Prohibit, unless otherwise authorised by the Commanding Officer of the Detention Unit, all communication via telephone and visits between the Accused with person(s) except for his legal counsel (if applicable) and diplomatic or consular representatives".

Slobodan Milosevic case

With regard to Slobodan Milosevic, the Deputy Registrar considered, among other things, that "post-elections associated activities will likely see the political party and the supporters of the Accused seeking his further involvement in post-elections political activities associated with the 28 December 2003 Serbian parliamentary elections" and "that widespread media attention and coverage of the fact that [the] Accused is facilitating, with ease, either an ongoing Serbian parliamentary elections campaign or post-elections political activities, each undermines the Tribunal’s mandate to assist in the restoration and maintenance of peace in the former Yugoslavia".

The Deputy Registrar decided, pursuant to Rules 60 and 63 of the Rules of Detention, to extend the 11 December 2003 Decision for Slobodan Milosevic for a period of 30 days from 10 January 2004.

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See full texts of the Decisions by the Deputy Registrar (Milosevic Case / Seselj Case)