The verdict against French postponed to Monday Requires Norwegian doctors to come to court. KINSHASA / OSLO ( Dagbladet ) 14. Feb.2014: Today it became clear that the verdict against Joshua French is postponed- primarily for Tuesday, but probably for quite some time to come. Despite objections from both the prosecutor and defense counsel, Judge Serge Kabondo stated that the case was postponed to Monday. - I think its better that we follow the way of the Tribunal , and postpone the matter until Norwegian experts can get in the courtroom - so the court may be conscious of their responsibilities and make the right decision , says Kabondo . He decides that the case is postponed until Monday. Then the Norwegian doctors Lavrantz Kyrdalen and Gunnar Farstad will appear in court . Kabondo said that the judgment will also be read out on Monday. The case has taken a new turn after a confidential Norwegian consulate letter became the theme in court on Tuesday. The letter, according to the Foreign Ministry was submitted by the general Ponde, commander of the military prosecutors , deals with Frenchs health - and was first sent from the Norwegian government to court in January. After Frenchs health largely ignored in the first weeks of the case, the parties dispute now whether he should be admitted and get treatment. - We can not make the decision about admission here today . We must ask that the reports from the Congolese doctors who were present will be presented so that the report can be compared with what the Norwegian doctors write. We will therefore adjourn the case , said Judge Serge Kabondo . So he asked that the Norwegian doctors who had conducted the examination that were mentioned in the said letter, could come to court. - Doctors are in Oslo, but if the Tribunal wishes , we will try to get them to come here next week , said defender André Marie Mwila . - We will try to get them here for Tuesday , said Mwila . Then the court took a break, while the Norwegian Foreign Ministry representatives took several phone calls and discussed with the Norwegian attorney Hans Marius Graasvold . Before doctors were contacted arose heated discussion about the Norwegian Foreign Ministry letter. The prosecutor pointed out that the letter had formal errors - while defender would rather focus on the content and Joshuas health. Finally, the prosecutor claimed that Frenchs poor health was a cover for a plan to escape from the hospital.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 11:24:41 +0000
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