The Hague, 16 May 2001 (RFE/RL) -- The UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia today said Yugoslavia is drafting legislation that will enable the prompt transfer of ex-President Slobodan Milosevic to The Hague for trial on war crimes charges. Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica has said he will present the legislation to parliament by the end of this month. Tribunal officials are pressing for the prompt extradition of the former leader once the law is adopted.
Yugoslav authorities have so far refused to deliver Milosevic, saying its laws prohibit the extradition of its citizens to foreign countries.
Belgrade police arrested the ousted president last month on charges of corruption and abuse of power during his 13 years in office. The UN tribunal indicted him in 1999, charging he directed atrocities against ethnic Albanians in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo.
Yugoslav authorities have so far refused to deliver Milosevic, saying its laws prohibit the extradition of its citizens to foreign countries.
Belgrade police arrested the ousted president last month on charges of corruption and abuse of power during his 13 years in office. The UN tribunal indicted him in 1999, charging he directed atrocities against ethnic Albanians in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo.