Belgrade, 28 July 1999 (RFE/RL) - A senior Yugoslav miltary officer has accused the country's leaders of misusing the army to stay in power. Colonel Dragan Vuksic -- in an open letter published in the independent daily Blic -- said that the current regime of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic is using the army as a last resort to remain in power. Meanwhile, a Yugoslav military court today decided to postpone the determination of whether Serbian opposition leader Zoran Djindjic should face charges of dodging the draft during NATO's air strikes against Yugoslavia.
Proceedings are postponed until the completion of the investigation by prosecutors. No date was set for the next court appearance by Djindjic.His lawyer, Strahinja Kasratovic, said that the intention of the regime is to keep Djindjic as long as possible under the threat of arrest.
Also today, British military police investigating the killing of 14 Serbs in the village of Gracko detained four men for questioning, though none of them were either charged with the crime or arrested. Jan Joosten, spokesman for international peacekeepers (KFOR), said the investigation was continuing and that KFOR was determined to bring the killers to justice. The detentions came as the village of Gracko prepared to bury the victims at a mass funeral today.
Also today, British military police investigating the killing of 14 Serbs in the village of Gracko detained four men for questioning, though none of them were either charged with the crime or arrested. Jan Joosten, spokesman for international peacekeepers (KFOR), said the investigation was continuing and that KFOR was determined to bring the killers to justice. The detentions came as the village of Gracko prepared to bury the victims at a mass funeral today.