REGULATION NO. 1999/26

UNMIK/REG/1999/26

22 December 1999

 

 

ON THE EXTENSION OF PERIODS OF PRETRIAL DETENTION

 

 

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General,

 

Pursuant to the authority given to him under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999,

 

Taking into account United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Regulation No. 1999/1 of 25 July 1999 on the Authority of the Interim Administration in Kosovo and UNMIK Regulation No. 1999/24 of 12 December 1999 on the Law Applicable in Kosovo,

 

In order to amend the pretrial procedures to ensure the proper administration of justice,

 

Hereby promulgates the following:

 

 

Section 1

EXTENSION OF DETENTION PERIODS

 

1.1     In addition to the six months maximum period of pretrial custody permitted pursuant to the applicable law, a panel of the Ad Hoc Court of Final Appeal may, in order to ensure the proper administration of justice, extend pretrial custody by not more than an additional three (3) months, and may subsequently further extend pretrial custody by not more than an additional three (3) months.

 

1.2     The extensions of pretrial custody provided for in section 1.1 of the present regulation shall be applicable only where proceedings are conducted for a crime carrying a possible prison sentence of more than five (5) years.

 

1.3     A decision on extending pretrial custody under section 1.1 of the present regulation shall be made on the recommendation, with supporting reasons, of the investigating judge or the public prosecutor. 

 

 

Section 2

EXPIRATION OF THE PRETRIAL CUSTODY PERIODS

 

If an indictment is not brought before the expiration of periods for pretrial custody referred to in section 1 of the present regulation, the accused shall be released.

 

 

Section 3

ENTRY INTO FORCE

 

The present regulation shall enter into force on 22 December 1999.

 

 

Section 4

TRANSITIONAL PROVISION

 

Sections 1 and 2 of the present regulation shall apply also to criminal proceedings initiated between 10 June 1999 and the date of the present regulation.

 

 

 

Bernard Kouchner

Special Representative of the Secretary-General