ICTY rejects Hadzic's request for provisional release

THE HAGUE - The Hague-based International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has rejected the motion of Goran Hadzic's defense for his provisional release from the UN detention unit based on humanitarian grounds, the ICTY has said in a release.

The defense requested that the former president of the Republic of Serbian Krajina be temporarily released from remand custody for 12 or more weeks of medical treatment in Serbia.

The defense motion said that Serbia had provided all the necessary guarantees, and that Hadzic did not pose a flight risk.

Arguing against the motion, the prosecution pointed out that Hadzic had not voluntarily surrender himself to the custody of the Tribunal and had evaded arrest for seven years.

Hadzic stands accused before the tribunal over allegedly committing crimes against humanity and violation of the laws or customs of war in Croatia from 1991 to 1995.

He was arrested in northern Serbia and extradited to the ICTY in July 2011, where he pleaded not guilty to all counts of the indictment.

His trial begun on October 16, 2012.

Photo Tanjug Video (illustration, archive)