Milosevic refuses war crimes papers

Milosevic supporters have rallied behind the former president

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has refused to accept an arrest warrant delivered to him in his Belgrade cell.

The warrant and a list of war crimes charges were delivered to Milosevic in Belgrade's Central Prison, where he has been held since his arrest on April 1, the Belgrade District Court said.

The U.N. War Crimes tribunal said it considered the indictment had been delivered but a lawyer for Milosevic said the ex-leader had refused to accept it.

One Milosevic aide told the Reuters news agency: "He did not receive the indictment, it was left on the bars of his cell. He did not want to take it."

The city's district court acted a week after chief U.N. war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte demanded information on whether the indictment had been delivered to Milosevic.

Reuters said the court had issued a statement saying it had received the indictment on April 26 from the Yugoslav justice ministry. It said the document had been handed to Milosevic so he could learn of its content.

Milosevic, 59, was arrested on April 1 on suspicion of abuse of office after a 36-hour armed standoff at his villa.

He was indicted by the U.N. war crimes court in May 1999 for alleged atrocities committed by Yugoslav troops under his command against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

Last week, Del Ponte said she was pleased that the Yugoslav authorities had arrested Milosevic, but said the tribunal is still waiting for him to be sent to the Hague.

She said she had an understanding, but not a firm agreement, with the new Yugoslav government that Milosevic would eventually be transferred to The Hague. However, she said she did not know when that would be.

Del Ponte also says she is confident that she has enough evidence to convict the ousted former Yugoslav leader.

She says she has received incriminating documents and statements from witnesses, including people who were around Milosevic during those war years.

Del Ponte urges war crimes arrests
April 27, 2001
Arrest warrant issued for Milosevic
April 4, 2001
Milosevic faces further indictments
April 2, 2001

U.N. war crimes tribunal
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

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