During his initial appearance before Judge Kevin Parker, Serbian Radical Party leader has entered a plea of not guilty to a new indictment charging him with contempt of court for disclosing the identity and testimony of protected witnesses in a book he has written


The Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj pleaded not guilty to all counts in the indictment charging him with contempt of court. Seselj is charged with intentional and deliberate obstruction of justice because he disclosed the identity and testimony of protected witnesses who testified at his trial for crimes against humanity in Croatia, Vojvodina and BH. The trial has been adjourned until further notice because of the intimidation of witnesses and threat to the integrity of the process. The Serbian Radical Party leader today returned to the courtroom to enter his plea on the new indictment.

The identity and testimony of protected witnesses were disclosed by Seselj in one of his books, the title of which remained unspecified in the version of the indictment available to the public. Before entering his plea, the accused asked that the confidential version of the indictment be read to him in order for the public to hear the title of the book. As Seselj explained, the title contains the name of ‘a person who is the kingpin of the US and CIA policy in Belgrade’. Australian judge Parker told Seselj he was not ‘in a position to change the Trial Chamber’s order to keep some parts of the indictment under seal’. The judge then read the public version of the indictment and the accused entered a plea of not guilty.

Although Judge Parker stressed the advantages of professional legal representation, Seselj remained adamant he wanted to represent himself in this case too. Seselj only asked to be permitted to sit in the ‘first row’, at the defense bench, so as to be ‘visually equal to the prosecutor’.

The prosecution will be represented by Canadian lawyer Bruce MacFarlane as the prosecutor amicus curiae in the contempt of court case.

As the 20-minute hearing drew to a close, Judge Parker expressed his hope that the second trial of Vojislav Seselj will start soon.

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