The Hague: Status Conference for Tarculovski

Tarculoski, who is currently in detention, is scheduled to apear in the front of the Trial Chamber at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, ICTY, on Friday, February 19.

The last time he appeared before the court, in October 2009, his defence appealed the 2008 first instance verdict by which Tarculoski was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment.

Tarculovski was indicted together with Ljube Boskoski, a former Macedonian minister of the interior, who was found not guilty in 2008. The Prosecution filed an appeal in his case, calling again for the conviction of Boskoski. The Prosecution claimed Boskoski was guilty for his failure to investigate and punish crimes committed by his subordinates during the conflict in Macedonia in 2001.

Tarculovski was convicted for murder, wanton destruction and cruel treatment. He was a police officer acting as an escort inspector in the president's security unit in the Ministry of the Interior.

According to the first instance verdict, he personally led a police attack on the village of Ljubote where seven ethnic Albanians died, and at least 14 houses were set alight, while more than one hundred men were detained and later tortured. 

He was also charged for ordering, planning and instigating the murder of Rami Jusufi, Sulejman Bajrami and Muharem Ramadani, among other charges.

His defence contends that the charges against their client are not based on evidence, arguing that the action in Ljuboten was a legitimate police action taken against terrorists.

It is not known when the decision concerning the appeals will be rendered. The status conference will be held, as was indicated in a statement from the Tribunal, because both sides agreed that it should be held 120 days after the appeals hearing.