The trial of Mr Slobodan Milosevic at the International War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague is illegal, according to Mr John Jeffries of the Irish Committee for the Defence of Slobodan Milosevic.
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"It’s purely a political trial. We believe this is a political trial set up for very political purposes," Mr Jeffries told
ireland.com
. "It has been set up totally illegally, it is contrary to international law and it doesn’t have any legitimate competence in relation to what it’s doing . . . It’s a kangaroo court in essence".
However, the way in which the trial was set up by the United Nations was defended on RTÉ's Morning Irelandprogramme by barrister and expert in International Human Rights Law, Mr Paddy Dillon-Malone. "Realistically there was no other option but to adopt it by Security Council resolution," he said.
"The war was still going on in Yugoslavia at the time and it was adopted as a deterrent measure as well as a security measure in order to maintain and to restore international peace and security and that is the legal basis for it under Chapter 7 of the United Nations charter.
"I think it is quite clear following the Dayton Agreement in December 1995 and subsequently the actions of the government now in former Yugoslavia in handing over and delivering up Mr Milosevic that there is no question but that it is in compliance with international law," said Mr Dillon-Malone.
Mr Jeffries also disagrees with how the media are presenting the case. "Mr Milosevic was an elected leader of his country. He is constantly being referred to in the media as a dictator. He is being tried in the media and has been for the last ten years," he said.
Mr Jeffries told ireland.comhe thinks the former Yugoslav leader will be found guilty in The Hague. "I have absolutely no doubt there will be a guilty verdict because that is what was pre-determined," he said.
When asked if he personally believed that Mr Milosevic was innocent, Mr Jeffries replied "I do, yes".
