The "radical measures" announced are held in reserve for the time being; judges set in motion a procedure that may lead to the imposing of defense counsel or "stand-by counsel" if they decide that Milosevic is no longer able to representhimself. The trial will continue from 14 to 21 July.


The trial of Slobodan Milosevic will continue on Wednesday, 14 July and will last for only one week--until Wednesday, 21 July--when it will be adjourned until 31 August. The Trial Chamber decided this today.

The “radical review” of the trial and its future, announced at yesterday’s hearing, has so far resulted only in a "radical measure in reserve." The Chamber set in motion a procedure that might ultimately result in the appointment of legal counsel for Milosevic to "assist the accused in the preparation and presentation of his defense." The decision reflects European legal systems, like Serbia andMontenegro’s, where people accused of serious criminal offences must have legal counsel in the courtroom.

The Trial Chamber decided there is no evidence that Milosevic is unable to stand trial, but there is evidence that because of his health, he may not be able to continue representing himself and that doing so may have a negative impact on the fairness and expeditiousness of his trial.

As a first step in the process of possibly appointing legal counsel, the Chamber ordered the accused to be examined by an independent cardiologist with no prior involvement in his treatment. It is his task not only to evaluate Slobodan Milosevic's current state of health, but also to evaluate whether he is able to continue representing himself in court and how that self-representation might affect the trial’s future.

At the same time, the Registry was ordered to "identify counsel who might be assigned to the case, should the Trial Chamber order such assignment."

Sharing