Zelenovic Puts Off Entering Plea

Zelenovic told judges during his initial appearance before the Hague court that he did not yet have a defence counsel and that he was looking into securing the services of a lawyer he met in Bosnia. He was represented at the initial hearing by duty counsel Tjarda Eduard van der Spoel.



Asked about his health, his transfer to The Hague and his treatment in detention there, Zelenovic said he had no complaints to make.



Following this first appearance, the accused has a further 30 days before he must formally respond to the indictment against him. The document contains allegations that, as a military police sub-commander and paramilitary leader in Foca, he was involved in a series of sexual assaults, including the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl.



Prosecutors have requested that his case be transferred to the Bosnian courts, as part of plans to wind down the Hague tribunal's work over the next few years.