Belgrade, 1 February 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Serbian Interior Minister Dusan Mihajlovic today confirmed that he has placed ousted Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic under 24-hour police surveillance at a Belgrade residence. RFE/RL has learned that the number of Milosevic's loyal body guards serving at the residence has been reduced. But both the Yugoslav and Serbian governments deny reports that Milosevic is under formal house arrest. No Serbian or federal Yugoslav criminal indictments have been issued against Milosevic.
Mihajlovic, appointed last week as part of Serbia's new reformist government, had promised to place Milosevic under round-the-clock surveillance because of his indictment by the United Nations war crimes tribunal at The Hague.
Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica said yesterday that Milosevic is under a "self-imposed" detention. Kostunica opposes the transfer of Milosevic to The Hague.
But Serbian Justice Minister Zoran Batic told RFE/RL today that Belgrade's governing coalition has agreed upon a group of experts who will draft legislation that could clear the way for Milosevic to be transferred to The Hague.
(For more details on this story please see: Yugoslavia: Authorities Tightening Control Of Milosevic)
Mihajlovic, appointed last week as part of Serbia's new reformist government, had promised to place Milosevic under round-the-clock surveillance because of his indictment by the United Nations war crimes tribunal at The Hague.
Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica said yesterday that Milosevic is under a "self-imposed" detention. Kostunica opposes the transfer of Milosevic to The Hague.
But Serbian Justice Minister Zoran Batic told RFE/RL today that Belgrade's governing coalition has agreed upon a group of experts who will draft legislation that could clear the way for Milosevic to be transferred to The Hague.
(For more details on this story please see: Yugoslavia: Authorities Tightening Control Of Milosevic)