Serbia: Ultranationalist Seselj demands acquittal by UN court

(AKI) - Serbian ultranationalist leader Vojislav Seselj, accused of war crimes by the Hague-based United Nations tribunal, demanded an acquittal on Monday, saying the prosecution has failed to prove charges against him.

According to the tribunal rules, Seselj has the right to demand acquittal after the prosecution rests its case. He is accused of crimes against Muslims and Croats allegedly committed by paramilitaries recruited by his Serbian Radical Party during 1991-1995 war that followed the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia.

“I propose that you acquit me of all charges, since there is no evidence for a guilty verdict,” Seselj told the tribunal. “I demand to be compensated for more than eight years spent in detention without any reason and for everything I went through,” he added.

“You haven’t proven anything beyond a doubt, except that you hate me immensely and that you want to convict me at all costs,” he told prosecutors.

Seselj surrendered to the tribunal in February 2003 and the prosecution ended its case and examined last witnesses early this year. Seselj had the option to present his witnesses or to demand acquittal.

The prosecution will have four hours to present its arguments on Tuesday, after which Seselj will have another hour for his comments. The tribunal is expected to rule on Seselj’s request in a few weeks.

If the tribunal rules that prosecution has proven charges against him, Seselj will be granted time to present his witnesses before the final verdict is reached.