Accused in Contempt Case Fails to Show

Jovic's defence counsel said in court that his client was absent because of his wife’s health problems. But trial judges warned that if he failed to turn up for a rescheduled hearing on July 11, a warrant would be issued for his arrest.



If that were to happen, they said, he would then be required to remain in custody until the start of his trial.



A former editor of the Croatian daily Slobodna Dalmacija, Jovic is accused of publishing the identity of a witness who gave evidence under protected measures in The Hague, as well as extracts from his testimony. It has since been made public that the witness in question was the current Croatian president, Stjepan Mesic.



In October last year, Jovic was arrested by the Croatian authorities and transferred to The Hague after he failed to comply with a court order requiring him to go there to enter a plea on the charge against him. Once transferred to The Hague, he denied the charges and was released pending the start of his trial.