Archive for the month of May 2009
Five Serbs appeal sentences
Balkanblog — May 29, 2009 - 22:13
ICTY reported that five Serbs jailed for war crimes in Kosovo have appealed against their convictions and sentences. ICTY said the prosecution had also appealed, calling for stiffer sentences for the five convicted, but wasn't seeking a retrial for Milutinovic.
ICTY will try Vojislav Seselj
Balkanblog — May 29, 2009 - 21:46
ICTY will try Serb nationalist leader Vojislav Seselj for contempt of court. January 21, 2009 he was charged with contempt of court for disclosing the identities of three protected witnesses at his war crimes trial but his trial was suspended February 13, 2009.
See: BBC
Germany extends Kosovo mission
Balkanblog — May 28, 2009 - 21:53
Germany's parliament approved a 12-month extension of its mission in Kosovo. Germany has 2,129 troops in Kosovo (NATO, 14Jan09).
Macedonia snubs Kosovo
Balkanblog — May 28, 2009 - 21:11
Macedonia accidentally downgraded a planned visit from Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu from "official" to "working," without state ceremony. Sejdiu promptly canceled the planned visit.
Remains of Srebrenica victims found near Vlasenica
Balkanblog — May 26, 2009 - 20:41
Forensic experts said they have found 12 bodies in a newly discovered mass grave near the town of Vlasenica. The grave is believed to contain the remains of Srebrenica victims.
Roz Savage started journey to Tuvalu
stplanken — May 25, 2009 - 21:02
Roz Savage departed Hawaii, starting the second leg of her journey, to Tuvalu. Last year, she departed San Fransisco and arrived in Hawaii in September.
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Karadzic seeks trial dismissal
Balkanblog — May 25, 2009 - 12:19
Radovan Karadzic filed a 140-page motion arguing that charges against him should be dropped because he was promised immunity by a top US envoy Richard Holbrooke. The motion stated: "If the Trial Chamber finds that the Holbrooke agreement is binding on the Tribunal, it should order that the indictment be dismissed." Holbrooke has repeatedly denied such a deal existed.
Karadzic insists Holbooke deal existed, asked UN for documents
Balkanblog — May 22, 2009 - 19:52
Radovan Karadzic has asked the UN for correspondence or statements by UN members that could support his long-standing claim that US peace envoy Richard Holbrooke was acting with the UN's authority in 1996 when he allegedly promised Karadzic immunity from prosecution if he would give up his power.
Holbrooke has always strongly denied such a deal was ever made.
Boris Tadic's security compromised
Balkanblog — May 22, 2009 - 19:44
In Belgrade, a disgruntled bankrupt businessman armed with two hand grenades had threatened to blow himself up near the entrance of the office of Serbia's president Boris Tadic.
He was arrested and is awaiting charges.
Joe Biden completes Balkans tour
Balkanblog — May 22, 2009 - 19:40
US vice president Joe Biden completed his visit to the Balkans in Kosovo. He said: "We urge you to consolidate your country in transparency, reinforce the rule of law, continue to strengthen the judiciary. Conditions should be met for the return of the refugees." He called Kosovo's independence irreversible.
Croatia to request extradition of Branimir Glavas
Balkanblog — May 21, 2009 - 18:50
Croatian justice minister Ivan Simonovic said thath Croatia will officially request Bosnia to extradite Branimir Glavas, although Bosnian law does not allow extradition of its citizens. Glavas is convicted of war crimes.
Biden received warm welcome in Kosovo
Balkanblog — May 21, 2009 - 14:17
US vice president Joe Biden arrived in Kosovo and received a warm welcome. In a brief ceremony, Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu awarded Biden with "The Golden Medal of Freedom," the highest decoration in the Balkan territory.
Biden called Kosovo's independence "irreversible".
Kosovo Serbs in Mitrovica staged a protest.
In Serbia, Biden said that the US does not expect Serbia to recognize Kosovo.