Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Montenegro

Milosevic's Body Returned To Serbia For Burial

The coffin of Slobodan Milosevic is placed in a hearse by officials of the Socialist Party of Serbia (epa)

March 15, 2006 -- Slobodan Milosevic's body was today brought back to Belgrade from The Hague, where the former Yugoslav president died on March 11 while on trial for genocide and war crimes.

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March 15, 2006

A small group of Milosevic's supporters was at Belgrade airport to greet the coffin.

Officials of Milosevic's Socialist Party said the country's former leader said he will be laid to rest on March 18 in his birthplace, Pozarevac, a town some 80 kilometers east of Belgrade.

The party has said it will put his coffin on display so people can pay their last respects.

Milosevic's son Marko, who had traveled to The Hague to pick up the body, returned on March 15 to Moscow, where he has lived for several years.

(compiled from agency reports)

In Poor Health

Slobodan Milosevic in an undated file photo (CTK)

HEART TROUBLES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Almost since the beginning of his trial in The Hague in February 2002, Slobodan Milosevic has been complaining of ill health. His trial has been repeatedly delayed as he sought medical treatment. As recently as February 24, the court declined Milosevic's request to travel to Russia for treatment for heart problems and elevated blood pressure, despite pledges from Moscow that Milosevic would be returned to The Hague to continue his trial on 66 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"[My health is] getting worse because of the decision that gives me no chance or adequate time to prepare my defense, and that is pretty clear," Milosevic told the court on July 5, 2004. " Because of that, I think that you have an obligation to give me adequate time."
"[The judges] have been very clear that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr. Milosevic is not fit enough to stand trial," court spokesman Jim Landale told journalists the next day. "They have decided that the time has possibly come for them to assign what is called a 'standby counsel.' That is a lawyer who would work alongside Mr. Milosevic and, were Mr. Milosevic to become ill again, be able to step in and represent his interests in court."

Of related interest:

Moscow Unhappy At Milosevic Travel Ban To Russia

Milosevic Seeks Leave For Health Checks In Russia

War Crimes Trial Takes Summer Recess Amid Concerns Over Milosevic's Health

Slobodan Milosevic's Life And Legacy

THE COMPLETE PICTURE: An archive of RFE/RL's coverage of the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

Of related interest:

RFE/RL Special: The Collapse Of Tito's Yugoslavia

RFE/RL Special: Yugoslavia's Democratic Revolution

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