Slobodan Milosevic Den Haag Documentary

On july 24 Arte broadcasted a documentary by danish filmmaker Michael Christoffersen. The documenatry, simply titled “Milosevic on trial” is one of a kind. It narrates the first trial in history of a former head of state before a United Nations court.
Milosevic was surrendered by Serbia to the International Court at the Hague in 2001, whre he was indicted with war crimes and crimes against humanity in three Balkan Wars. Milosvic considered the trial illegal and nothing but a “show”, he emphasized this attitude during trial. Although he decided to defend himself, you see him as all the time as an poltician, not a lawyer. His attitude was brazen, arrogant and full of confidence.
He argued that the Balkan Wars have been misportrayed by the media and the view manipulated by other politicians (Clinton, Genscher, Holbrooke).
The documentary is interesting, because it allows us a glimpse into an historical event, yet at the same time opens many questions. In a way, it leads the viewer into a formulated drama, summing up events and a process of many years in less than one hour and a half.

Ex-Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic died of a heart attack on March 11, 2006, just before his was to have closed his defence. There was no verdict.

While I believe that the trial was nevertheless important, I realize at the same time that it´s effect is twofold. Either you see him as a criminal politician on trial, or as (still many do) a martyr, a man wrongly accused for the sake of …..?

ARTE is going to broadcast the documentary again on July 30 at 09.55.

Here are some links

• Westminster Wisdom blog on Christoffersen´s documentary
• A story about Milosvic and Holbrooke from the NY Times
• What are the consequences if political leaders defend themself, like Milosevic? explore here