Based on the advice of the Dutch cardiologists, judges decide to continue the trial of Slobodan Milosevic at the current pace: four working hours a day, three days a week


The trial of Slobodan Milosevic will continue at the current pace: three working days a week, four hours a day, the Trial Chamber decided after hearing the findings of the Dutch cardiologist Van Dijkman.

In mid-July the Trial Chamber asked the Dutch cardiologist to provide his expert opinion on whether the health of the accused would allow the court to sit longer in order to speed up the trial that began way back in February 2002. On 5 August, Dr van Dijkman filed a confidential report to the Chamber. It states, as cited in the decision made public today, that the current situation in terms of therapy and workload is "on the border of acceptability." In order to prevent any further blood pressure problems of the accused, Dr. van Dijkman "strongly recommends" not to change the current pace of the trial by extending the working hours in the courtroom. The judges accepted the cardiologist’s recommendation.

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