Milosevic too ill to attend trial Deutsche Presse

Milosevic too ill to attend trial
Deutsche Presse-Agentur - September 4, 2003

The Hague - Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic reported sick Thursday, the judge presiding over his trial for alleged war crimes said.

Judge Richard May ordered the 62-year-old former Yugolsav strongman to undergo a new examination to determine his pyhsical and mental state of health.

Milosevic, who is on trial in The Hague for alleged war crimes during the 1990s Balkan war, is representing himself after refusing to use a lawyer.

He has reported ill a total of 11 times since his trial began on February 12, 2002, forcing the international criminal tribunal tribunal trying him to cancel 50 days of hearings.

On Tuesday, the court turned down Milosevic's request for a break of two years in judicial proceedings against him to allow him prepare his defence.

The prosecution has so far presented 230 witnesses testifying against Milosevic. Chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte still has until the end of the year to present further witnesses and evidence.

Milosevic has demanded the right to call an equal number of witnesses and take as much time delivering his defence.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur: POLITICS
September 4, 2003, Thursday -10:08 Central European Time