UN tribunal seeks arrest of Bosnian Serb leader wanted for contempt of court

The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) today issued an arrest warrant against Branko Djeric, a former Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, the Bosnian Serb-dominated entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to face charges of contempt of court.

Judges in the trial against former Bosnian Serb political leader Momcilo Krajisnik had earlier this month issued a subpoena ordering Mr. Djeric to appear as a witness in the case on 26 June. His failure to appear before the Trial Chamber or to show good cause why he could not comply with the subpoena triggered the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Mr. Djeric had been informed of the contents of the subpoena ordering him to appear as a witness, Judge Alphons Orie noted, citing a Republika Srpska police report submitted to the Tribunal. He had also been warned that deliberate failure to adhere to the subpoena could result in criminal proceedings, the issuance of an arrest warrant and, if convicted, a possible term of imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine of up to 100,000 euros, or both.