Mladic Expert Witness questioned by Prosecution on Srebrenica accounts: Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Dusan Pavlovic, Mladic’s expert witness, again stated that “at least 4,000 to 5,000” Bosnian Army soldiers and civilians were killed while trying to break through Bosnian Serb lines and escape Srebrenica in July 1995. The witness repeated the claim although the prosecution has stated that this information is based on incorrect data. During cross-examination the prosecution called the accuracy of Pavlovic’s report into questions, stating that Pavlovic did not accurately cite eyewitness statements. Pavlovic also said that thousands of Bosniaks were killed “during combat activities when trying to break through” Serb lines. In response the Prosecutor cites statements by witnesses who said the Bosniaks were actually captured by Bosnian Serb forces and “died as victims of mass executions”. Mladic is on trial for the genocide of Srebrenica Bosniaks, and his trial is ongoing. (Balkan Insight)
Amnesty critical of Nigerian General’s re-appointment, citing military killings: Amnesty International has criticized the reinstatement of Nigerian general Maj Gen Ahmadu Mohammed because Gen Mohammed is cited among other officer in a report which accuses the military of killing more than 8,000 detainees. Amnesty International said “It is unthinkable” to reinstate the officer, who was fired in 2014 before an inquiry had begun. A military spokesman told the BBC that the military is investigating the allegations, and that no one should be punished unnecessarily until the allegations are proven. Amnesty says that Gen Mohammed was “in command of operations when the military executed more than 640 detainees following a Boko Haram attack on the detention centre in Giwa barracks on 14 March 2014.” (BBC News)
ICC Chambers to release decision in Bemba Case on 21 March: On Tuesday, 2 February 2016 Trial Chamber III of the ICC issued an order scheduling the hearing to deliver the verdict in the case Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo on Monday 21 March 2016, at 14:00 (The Hague local time). Judges Sylvia Steiner from Brazil presides, along with Judge Joyce Alouch from Kenya and Judge Kniko Ozaki from Japan who together compose the judge panel in Trial Chamber III. The verdict will be read in public and will acquit or convict the accused. Before the ICC the accused is presumed innocent and the Prosecutor must prove the guilt of the accused. The Trial Chamber will only convict if it is satisfied that the charged have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial in the Bemba case started on 22 November 2010 and the submission of evidence closed 7 April 2014 with further testimony offered between 2 and 24 of October 2014. Closing statements were given 12 and 13 November 2014. (ICC Press Release)
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