Cermak in Custody, Markac Goes Home

The ICTY trial chamber conference resulted in a decision to temporarily release Markac and keep Cermak in custody.

After 40 minutes of questioning General Ivan Cermak and his attorneys Cedo Prodanovic and Jadranka Slokovic, the trial chamber of the international crimes tribunal in The Hague adjourned and will reach a final decision on Wednesday. 

During the hearing of conflict of interest, General Mladen Markac was pressed by representatives of the tribunal’s bar association, Carnavas and Murphy.

Separovic in conflict of interest? 

Markac’s attorney Miroslav Separovic is suspected of being in a conflict of interest as he was justice minister at the time of war.

-- My testimony on the situation of the Croatian judiciary during the war can be verified by a dozen other people – Separovic said, to which judge Ori warned him that he could be disbarred.

According to the Vecernji list daily, this is a kind of blackmail of attorneys, a precedent in The Hague.

Temporary freedom – house arrest 

Cermak’s questioning was led by Dutch judge Ori who demanded an explanation as to why the general had not followed conditions of his temporary release.

-- I was permitted to travel to work from Krapinske Toplice to Zagreb during work days and I only travelled within the borders of my county – Cermak defended himself when asked about his attending a Sljeme race and his dining at a Zagreb restaurant.

Judge Ori concluded that temporary freedom meant house arrest, which surprised the general’s defence council.