VZCZCXRO0750
RR RUEHAST
DE RUEHBW #0808 1391223
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191223Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8615
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000808 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KJUS SR
SUBJECT: Trial of Djindjic Assassins in Final 
Stages 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: The trial of the suspected 
assassins of former Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic 
and their co-conspirators is nearing its final 
stage.  While obstacles could still arise which 
may delay a final verdict, a ruling is expected 
around October.  Although the case is not done, 
observers opine that the prosecution probably has 
presented enough evidence to score a conviction. 
End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Milan Simic, Special Advisor for War 
Crimes and Organized Crime in the SaM Ministry of 
Human and Minority Rights, told poloff on April 20 
that the "Djindjic" trial was at the end of the 
evidentiary phase and the prosecution and defense 
are preparing their closing arguments.  The trial, 
which began on December 22, 2003, is temporarily 
paused and is scheduled to resume on May 10 so 
that ballistic experts from Wiesbaden, Germany can 
present their analysis of the assassination and be 
examined by the defense. However, the ballistic 
experts have not yet confirmed their attendance, a 
fact which could further delay continuation of the 
proceedings until June.  (Note: The Court has 
asked us to help with the Germans and with Human 
and Minority Rights Minister Ljajic, who has a 
role in international legal cooperation, in 
arranging testimony via Digital Video link, which 
is available at the Serbian Special Tribunal. The 
Ambassador has raised it with the German 
Ambassador who has helped arrange German 
assistance; details are being worked out.  End 
Note) Simic said that he expects the panel of 
judges overseeing the case to make a ruling in 
October, following a summer recess from July 15 to 
September 1.  He added that enough evidence has 
been presented to support a conviction. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) A few obstacles remain, however, that 
could briefly postpone a final ruling.  First, the 
special prosecutor has requested the right to name 
Dejan "Bugsy" Milenkovic as a witness collaborator 
and depose him, which could postpone a ruling by 
up to six months.  Chief Judge Marko Klajevic 
implied to emboffs on April 26, however, that he 
is inclined to refuse the request as Bugsy's 
testimony would not contribute significantly to 
the prosecution's case and additionally may be 
suspect.  Second, should the police arrest the six 
suspects who remain at large (the prosecutor 
indicted 19 in all), Simic worried that this would 
postpone the trial by up to 8 months. Klajevic, 
however, said that he would not expect a delay of 
longer than one month because, although the case 
was not severed against the defendants at large, 
their appointed defense counsels were present 
throughout the trial.  Third, observers were 
concerned that the recent arrest on corruption 
charges of Klajevic's brother, who had been the 
chief justice for the Belgrade Commercial Court, 
had affected his mental and physical health. 
Kljajevic assured emboffs that he is in a sound 
mental and physical state, is capable of 
separating his role as a judge from the issue 
pertaining to his brother, and is not planning to 
go on sick leave or resign as the head of the 
panel of judges. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Comment: After 2.5 years, this dark 
chapter in Serbia's transition may finally be 
coming to a close.  If so, it will be a victory 
for Serbia's fledgling courts, which still suffer 
from heavy political interference, corruption, and 
inefficiency.  It will also be a tribute to Judge 
Klajevic, to the Special Court itself, which has 
benefited from considerable U.S. assistance, and 
to the slow but steady progress we have made in 
strengthening the rule of law here.  Klajevic has 
worked closely with us and his professional and 
meticulous work will probably minimize the 
opportunity for a verdict to be overturned on an 
appeal, should the court convict the indictees. 
Embassy will continue to monitor the case closely 
and assist the court to discharge its duty. End 
Comment 
POLT