ICTY: Verdict against Jelena Rasic Confirmed
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The Hague Tribunal confirmed the verdict, pronouncing Rasic guilty of having obtained false statements by three witnesses at the trial of Milan Lukic in 2008. In July 2010 a first instance verdict was pronounced, sentencing Lukic to life imprisonment for crimes in Visegrad.
The verdict was pronounced after Rasic had admitted guilt.
The crimes, which Rasic admitted, are serious. Obtaining a false testimony in any situation represents an interference with implementation of justice. When you do something like that before an international judicial institution, it has far-reaching consequences, the first instance verdict says.
The Appellate Chamber confirmed a decision, allowing Rasic to remain at liberty conditionally. Unless she commits a new crime within the next two years, she will not have to serve the pronounced sentence.
The indictment against Rasic was filed in July 2010. She was then arrested and transferred to the Tribunals seat at The Hague. In September 2010 she pleaded not guilty to the charges that she committed contempt of court. In November 2010 she was released to liberty until the beginning of the trial.
The first instance verdict was pronounced in February this year.
D.Dz.
