an hour agoThe witness fails to hear in the case of Kostic and Milovic
Periskopi(8 months ago)
(8 months ago)The hearing has failed to be held against war crimes indictees Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic, as the defence side demanded its postponement. According to defence, the Serbian translation of the witness's statement, which was originally heard today, was accepted only a few minutes before the hearing began. Defense party lawyer Predrag Milkovic, [...]
Defence side lawyer Predrag Milkovic said that in view of these circumstances, defence does not accept this session to continue, Online Economy reports, broadcasts Periscope.
We're not ready because you've now accepted the witness statement translated ten minutes ago. I'm sorry we lost 20 days of last trial, but the defence doesn't accept this to continue”, he said.
On the other hand, the case prosecutor, Florie Shabani, demanded that the witness's hearing be made not to delay the judicial process.
“We have in time submitted this translated statement, but because of some obstacles to the computer, not to procrastinate this procedure, it is good for witness testimony to be taken on the prosecution's side, while in another session to be taken from the other side,” she said.
Lawyer Milkovic rejected the request, stressing that listening to the witness is not reasonable in this phase of the process.
I think it's not right to hear this witness. I've got all the paperwork, the processions, the witnesses who gave their statements. This statement was issued on the day of the establishment of the indictment, 15 days after the establishment of the indictment, and we are rejecting witness hearing today” he said.
In the court chairman's question, Lutfi Shala, if there is any possibility that the hearing of the prosecution's witness will continue, lawyer Milkovic responded.
“I've done it once for the prosecutor, he won't do it twice for prosecutor”, he said.
After the discussions, the chairman of the court, Lutfi Shala, made the decision to postpone the hearing.
We consider that today there are no conditions to continue with this judicial process and give time to read the statement,” he said.
Today it was meant to be heard by witness Naim Haliti.
Indictees Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic are charged that, in the quality of Serbian police members, in co-ordination with other members of the police, army and paramilitary Serb formations, they have committed war crimes against the civilian population during the Kosovo conflict.
