Carla Del Ponte: This is not justice, this is denial of a huge crime
‘I am shocked, very surprised and astonished because it is absolutely unbelievable what happened after ruling the sentence of 24 years in prison to general Ante Gotovina. Unbelievable. I cannot accept that. I sympathize in full with Serbian victims of the crime, a crime that we strongly proved with evidence and facts’, Carla Del Ponte, former chief prosecutor of the ICTY said for Blic.
‘During the first trial the judges recognized that there were proofs enough. I do not know on the basis of what this second decision was made. I saw that two judges had opposite opinions and I am expecting to read their opinion. I am really shocked because this is not justice’, Del Ponte says.
Q: How is it possible that in the same court, two trial chambers rule so different verdicts?
‘I have not read the explanation yet. I completely disagree with the new verdict and I do not know how possibly it could be accepted. Serbia Government and the Serbs cannot accept such verdict and I completely agree with their televised statements because it is clear that the crime has been committed. We shall see what is going to happen next, but surely this is not justice’.
Q: How do you view your experience and work of the Hague Tribunal after destruction of proofs concerning body organ trade in Kosovo and after this releasing verdict?
‘We made huge efforts to collect all pieces at one place and present numerous facts to the court.
Destruction of the evidence and especially release of Gotovina bring the credibility of the Hague Tribunal in question. I am expecting verdict against Ramush Haradinaj to be made in fifteen days and there is danger that the same happens again. You know I am very disappointed’.
Q: Do you think that the prosecution you led have collected sufficient proofs that Gotovina and Markac are put in prison?
‘Yes, certainly. We proved the crime and the first verdict indicates that we did our job’.
Q: Is there anything else that can be done in this case?
‘This is a final verdict and there is nothing that can be done’.
Q: Do you think that it was politics, money for lobbying or something else that has influenced the verdict?
‘I do not know, but certainly such suspicion is justified’.