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-News for Wed. 17 April to Fri. 19
April 2002
War
Crimes Prosecutor Demands Extradition of Fugitives
VOA
News 18
Apr 2002 15:45 UTC

Chief U.N. war crimes
prosecutor Carla del Ponte is in Belgrade to press Yugoslav leaders to transfer
fugitive suspects to the Hague tribunal. Ms. del Ponte's talks with Yugoslav
Justice Minister Savo Markovic focused on the extradition of former Bosnian
Serb General Ratko Mladic, who is widely believed to be living in or near
Belgrade under military protection.
General Mladic
is wanted on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the massacre
of up to 8,000 people in Srebrenica. During a visit Wednesday to Sarajevo, Ms.
del Ponte said it would take a political decision on the part of Yugoslav
authorities to have General Mladic arrested.
The Yugoslav
government presented a list of 23 indicted war crimes suspects Wednesday, and
gave them three days to surrender or be arrested. The suspects include General
Mladic, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and Serbia's current
president, Milan Milutinovic. Publication of the list comes just one week after
the Yugoslav parliament passed a law authorizing the government to send
indicted suspects to the Hague for prosecution.
Under a rewards
program, the United States is offering up to $5 million to anyone who has
information on the whereabouts of Mr. Karadzic and General Mladic. Relocation
will also be offered to anyone able to provide assistance, along with his or
her immediate family.
Analysts do not
suspect that many, if any, war crimes suspects will surrender. There is also
concern about possible suicide attempts. Former Serbian Interior Minister and
war crimes suspect Vlajko Stojiljkovic died Sunday, three days after he shot
himself on the steps of the federal parliament building.
Some information
for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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