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Karadzic claims US gave him "immunity" from war crimes trial
May 25, 2009, 14:09 GMT
Amsterdam - Former Bosnian-Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has requested the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on Monday to hold a special hearing to determine the court's jurisdiction, amid claims that Karadzic had been promised immunity by the US.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the ICTY premises, Karadzic's legal advisor Patrick Robinson said that in 1996 special UN and US envoy Richard Holbrooke had promised his client immunity from prosecution stemming from atrocities during the 1990s Balkan Wars.
In exchange for immunity, Karadzic allegedly agreed to remain out of the public eye after the end of the Balkan War.
Robinson said his 140-page request, which he transferred to the ICTY on Monday, contained 'many testimonials' substantiating his clients' claim that such an immunity deal was made.
Karadzic has repeatedly referred to a deal with Holbrooke and claimed that he is therefore safe from prosecution by the ICTY.
Holbrooke, who is now the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, has always denied such a deal ever existed.
The ICTY, which declined to comment on the upcoming press conference, says the existence of an agreement on Karadzic's immunity is 'irrelevant' to its ongoing case.
Karadzic was arrested in Serbia in July 2008 and is currently standing trial at the ICTY on charges of war crimes relating to the wars in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the break-up of Yugoslavia.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Lesson: Don't trust the Americans when it comes to their execution of their foreign policy. Their promises are poisoned.
'Holbrooke, who is now the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan'
is 'promising' them (Afghanistan and Pakistan) that their civilians will not be killed...
Who ever trusted USA promises, should know better...
Getting an agreement in writing with the US means nothing as they have broken verbal and written agreements many, many times over the years. Anyone alive now should know the US cannot be trusted for you are an ally only until your services are no longer required (Saddam Hussein is the most recent example of that and Noriega is another). Anyone who makes a deal with the US gets what he deserves.He would have been better off to ask for asylum in the US and a new life for the US does not respect treaties in regard to extradition. The only reason the latest extradition of the Nazi war criminal occurred is because of pressure from Israel; if not for that, he would still be living out his life in safety and secure in the knowledge he would not be sent back for trial and punishment.
page: 1
Jeanne KosterMay 26th, 2009 - 05:45:25
Lesson: Always get it in writing.
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