On 27 November 2006, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) decided to assign Vojislav Šešelj defence counsel for the further conduct of his case. This decision was delivered orally during the pre-trial conference immediately before the commencement of the trial. The Chamber concluded that Šešelj’s self-representation in the course of the period since the Appeals Chamber judgement of 20 October 2006, reversing the Trial Chamber’s decision on assigned counsel, “has substantially obstructed the proper and expeditious conduct of the proceedings”. The judges found that it is justified at this point to permanently assign him counsel.

Trial Chamber I further ordered that Šešelj’s participation in the proceedings will be through counsel unless it determines otherwise upon hearing from counsel.

On 21 August 2006, Vojislav Šešelj was assigned a defence counsel because of his conduct during the case. The Trial Chamber found his behaviour obstructionist and disruptive and concluded that his self-representation would substantially and persistently obstruct the proper and expeditious conduct of a fair trial. This decision was reversed by the Appeals Chamber on 20 October 2006. The Appeals Chamber did warn Šešelj that if his self-representation would obstruct the proceedings, the Trial Chamber could assign him counsel.

On 30 October 2006, the Registry appointed David Hooper as standby counsel. Šešelj  persists in being absent from the proceedings and currently refuses to take food.

Press release