Important Tribunal Contempt Case Covered

In August, a tribunal development which caused a stir worldwide was the indictment of Florence Hartmann, a former spokeswoman for the Hague court’s chief prosecutor, for contempt of court.

In Hague Tribunal Charges Former Spokeswoman With Contempt, published on August 29, Jennings reported on Hartmann’s indictment.

French journalist Florence Hartmann’s indictment case raises important questions about confidentiality and public interest in relation to war crimes proceedings.

The French journalist was accused of revealing confidential information after leaving her post few years ago. She is charged on two counts relating to the disclosure of decisions made by the appeals chamber during the trial of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, in 2005 and 2006.

The case is important as the charges against Hartmann raise key questions about confidentiality and public interest in relation to war crimes proceedings.

For the piece, Jennings secured an interview with Hartmann, who argued that she had done nothing wrong and acted in the public interest. She told him she intended to contest charges against her at her trial, which has now been postponed twice. Her initial appearance will be on October 27.