Mladić rejects Hague indictment against him

Hague war crimes indictee Ratko Mladic was today interviewed by a judge at Belgrade's Special Court. During the proceedings, which lasted some 30 minutes, the former Bosnian Serb Army general refused to receive the indictment raised against him by the Hague Tribunal. Mladic rejects Hague indictment against him He will remain at the Special Court until his extradition. Mladic's lawyer was given the extradition papers immediately after the hearing, and he has until Monday to appeal, a judge said earlier in the day. During the hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes, Mladic refused to receive the indictment, and he will remain at the Special Court until his extradition. The court said that it received the certificate that Mladic is fit for further proceedings, regardless of his chronic ill health. Deputy War Crimes Prosecutor Bruno Vekaric, who was present at the interview, stated previously that Mladic should be extradited to The Hague in a week's time at the latest and that it was important to adequately carry out the extradition in accordance with laws. “It is important that his identity has been determined. Everything depends on his defense, whether he is going to file an appeal, but a maximum deadline is seven days,“ the deputy war crimes prosecutor explained. According to him, Mladic did not make any special demands after the arrest. He is under constant medical supervision and the investigative judge is taking care not to upset his health. “The investigative judge clearly shows that he is willing to respect his human rights and last night's interrogation was stopped because he (Mladic) had to take his medicine at a certain point,“ Vekaric stressed. He stated that the authorities needed to investigate how Croatian media had managed to find about Mladic's arrest first. Mladic was taken to the investigative judge last night around 19:30 CET but the interrogation was suspended due to the suspect's poor physical and mental health. The investigative judge will read the indictment to Mladic and the Higher Court in Belgrade Special Department will then determine whether all conditions for his extradition to the Hague Tribunal are fulfilled. Mladic has a right to file an appeal. After the court rules on the appeal, a proposal for his extradition will be sent to the Justice Ministry which will make a final decision. The general, who is charged with genocide and war crimes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, was arrested in the village of Lazarevo on Thursday morning. Ratko Mladic is seen in front of the courtroom (Serbian government)

Mladić rejects Hague indictment against him

He will remain at the Special Court until his extradition.

Mladić's lawyer was given the extradition papers immediately after the hearing, and he has until Monday to appeal, a judge said earlier in the day.

During the hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes, Mladić refused to receive the indictment, and he will remain at the Special Court until his extradition.

The court said that it received the certificate that Mladić is fit for further proceedings, regardless of his chronic ill health.

Deputy War Crimes Prosecutor Bruno Vekarić, who was present at the interview, stated previously that Mladić should be extradited to The Hague in a week's time at the latest and that it was important to adequately carry out the extradition in accordance with laws.

“It is important that his identity has been determined. Everything depends on his defense, whether he is going to file an appeal, but a maximum deadline is seven days,“ the deputy war crimes prosecutor explained.

According to him, Mladić did not make any special demands after the arrest. He is under constant medical supervision and the investigative judge is taking care not to upset his health.

“The investigative judge clearly shows that he is willing to respect his human rights and last night's interrogation was stopped because he (Mladić) had to take his medicine at a certain point,“ Vekarić stressed.

He stated that the authorities needed to investigate how Croatian media had managed to find about Mladić's arrest first.

Mladić was taken to the investigative judge last night around 19:30 CET but the interrogation was suspended due to the suspect's poor physical and mental health.

The investigative judge will read the indictment to Mladić and the Higher Court in Belgrade Special Department will then determine whether all conditions for his extradition to the Hague Tribunal are fulfilled.

Mladić has a right to file an appeal. After the court rules on the appeal, a proposal for his extradition will be sent to the Justice Ministry which will make a final decision.

The general, who is charged with genocide and war crimes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, was arrested in the village of Lazarevo on Thursday morning.