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ICTY ex-spokeswoman contempt trial begins

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Former spokeswoman for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Florence Hartmann went on trial Monday to face accusations of contempt for allegedly publishing details of tribunal proceedings. Hartmann is specifically charged with contempt of the tribunal in violation of procedural Rule 77(A)(ii) for "knowingly and willingly disclosing information in knowing violation of an order of a Chamber" and "interfering with the administration of justice." Hartmann, who published the book Peace and Punishment: The Secret Wars of Politics and International Justice in 2007, allegedly disclosed classified information relating to the tribunal's proceedings against Slobodan Milosevic in her book and in an article. The information that was disclosed concerned decisions to not publicize documents that might have aided Bosnia's efforts to hold Serbia liable for genocide following the Balkan conflicts in the early 1990s. At isue are minutes from Serbia's Supreme Defense Council, which allegedly implicate Belgrade for atrocities, given to the ICTY by Serbia for the sole purpose of the Milosevic trial. Hartmann's lawyer maintains that the information was previously disclosed by others and that a conviction would be limiting free speech. A Hartmann support group has expressed concern that prohibiting the material to be published will burden Bosnian victims who have a right to challenge the "controversial deal between Serbia and the ICTY" and to revisit Serbia's responsibility. At an initial appearance, Hartmann did not enter a plea and a plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf in November. Hartmann formally served as the official spokesperson for chief ICTY prosecutor Carla del Ponte. Before being indicted, Hartmann drew media attention by repeating allegations that former US president Bill Clinton and former French president Jacques Chirac had planned a campaign to capture Radovan Karadzic, but later backed down following a change in policy. Hartmann has also said that Russia aided in moving Karadzic to safety in Belarus, and alleged that the West helped in order to hide information about the Srebrenica massacre.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on June 15, 2009 (boomark / email).