Sweden to audit detention unit at UN court for ex-Yugoslavia

The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) today announced that the Swedish Government has accepted its request to conduct an independent audit of the Hague-based court’s Detention Unit.

The probe will cover all areas related to the Detention Unit’s management and administration, according to existing agreements and other regulations.

“A team will conduct the audit as soon as possible, and will submit their report to the Tribunal once it is complete,” ICTY said in a news release, voicing gratitude for Sweden’s support.

The audit was announced earlier this month by Tribunal President Fausto Pocar after the court’s most notorious suspect, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, died in detention. His death was ruled a heart attack and early toxicology reports showed no evidence of poisoning.

In New York today, Judge Fausto Pocar reported by teleconference to the Security Council on Mr. Milosevic’s death, reconfirming that it had resulted from natural causes, according to the Council President, Ambassador César Mayoral of Argentina. He told reporters following the closed-door meeting that the Council would revisit the issue in June when President Pocar briefs it in person.