(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 12, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 26, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 24, 1985
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/22 : CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1
Central intelligence Agency
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
24 January 1985
The "Belgrade Six" Trial
SUMMARY
2z9
The Yugoslav government is now
attempting to extricate itself from the cycle
of domestic criticism and the international
embarrassment caused by its trial of six
Serbian intellectuals on flimsy charges of
conspiracy. While regime moderates are
prevailing, the government as a whole has
been hurt by the widespread popular
perception of its ineffectiveness.
This memorandum was prepared by East European Division, Office of
Eur an Anal sis. Camnents and questions are welcome and should be addressed
to Chief, East European Division, Office of European Analysis,
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/22 : CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/22 : CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1
CONFIDENTIAL
Yugoslav hardliners, worried about the potential for;
political unrest in a period of increasing economic austerity,
forced the arrest last spring of six Serbian intellectuals on
conspiracy charges. The widely publicized trial, which began in
November, became a focal point of dispute between the hardliners
and moderates in the leadership. Sympathy for the defendants
among the populace and in the media suggests that the hardliners
misjudged the difficulty of staging a political trial in
Yugoslavia's increasingly open society.
Yugoslav moderates publicly opposed the trial from the
beginning partly out of concern that negative Western reaction
would affect Belgrade's debt relief negotiations. Serbian
moderates obtained the release from custody of the defendants in
July. As the weakness of the prosecutor's case became apparent--
only one witness testified against the defendants--even some
hardliners admitted privately to US diplomats that the trial was
likely to hinder rather than help government efforts to curb
dissent. The trial often displayed a comical atmosphere, further
embarrassing the regime--at one point a defendant was allowed to
leave early to pick his daughter up from school. The moderates'
fears were realized when Western political groups, media, and
governments showed high interest in the proceedings.
Sources of the US Embassy in Belgrade reported last week
that Yugoslav political authorities had removed pressure for
convictions and the court response came quickly this week. On
Wednesday, the prosecution dropped charges against one defendant,
reduced charges against another three, and pledged to do the same
for the remaining two in the future. The court probably will
mete out light sentences to some of the defendants in an effort
to save face for the regime. The reduced charges of promoting
hostile propaganda carry a minimum tence of only six months,
versus five years for conspiracy.
Belgrade is now attempting to extricate itself from what has
become an international embarrassment. Although the outcome is
more favorable to moderates, the regime as a whole has been hurt
by the widespread popular perception of government
ineffectiveness. The hardliners are now likely to turn to low-
profile harrassment of dissidents, such as increased secret
police surveillance.
-2-
CONFIDENTIAL
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/22 : CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/22 : CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1
CONFIDENTIAL
The "Belgrade Six" Trial
DISTRIBUTION
1 - Mr. Ronald Lauder, Deputy Ass't. Secretary of Defense for
European and NATO Affairs, OSDISP 4D822 Pentagon
2 - NIO/Europe, 7E62
3 - ANIO/Europe, 7E62
4 - DDI, 7E47
5 - DDI Registry, 7E47
6 -. D/EURA
7 - C/EURA/EE
8 - DC/EURA/EE
9 - C/El;/SE
10 - IMC/CB, 7G07
11 - IMC/CB, 7G07
12 - IMC/CB, 7G07
13 - IMC/CB, 7G07
14 - EUR/PS, 6G42
15 - EUR/PS. 6G42 sourced copy
16 -
17 -
Chrono/EURA/EE/SE, 6G42
DDI/EURA/EE/SE
(24 January 85)
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/22 : CIA-RDP85T01058R000202290001-1