Security Increased As Serbian Extremists Plan Mladic Rally

People protest in support of wartime General Ratko Mladic in the Bosnian Serb town of Pale, near the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, on May 27.

Serbian authorities say security is being increased to handle possible disturbances during expected protests today against the arrest of Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said security measures were being heightened, including around state buildings and embassies in Belgrade, in case of unrest in connection with rallies planned by far-right extremist groups.

Mladic's lawyer, Milos Saljic, said Mladic had urged his supporters to be calm and peaceful.

Mladic, who is accused of masterminding the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and other atrocities during the 1992-95 Bosnian war, was arrested on May 26, ending 16 years as a fugitive.

He is currently in a Serbian jail awaiting transfer to a United Nations war crimes court in The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

compiled from agency reports