Italian peacekeepers searching for war crimes suspects raided a hospital in the Bosnian Serb wartime stronghold of Pale today and deployed near buildings linked to leading fugitive Radovan Karadzic.
"Acting on information received earlier this morning, SFOR began a short-notice unannounced operation in Pale to search for indicted war crimes suspects and their supporters," said Mr Dave Sullivan, spokesman for the Stabilisation Force.
Sullivan said that NATO-led peacekeepers raided a hospital in the town because they believed that a war crimes suspect was hiding there. He said the operation was conducted together with local police.
"The Republika Srpska police and SFOR have information that a person indicted for war crimes is likely seeking refuge in the hospital or similar facility," Mr Sullivan said. The person may be injured, he added.
He expressed regret that SFOR had to search a medical facility, but said that "We will make every effort to minimise disruption for hospital patients and staff."
An eyewitness in Pale, 10 miles from the Bosnian capital, saw Italian paramilitary carabinieri in three vehicles deployed in front of the house where Karadzic's wife lives.
Vehicles were also standing in front of a local radio station run by Karadzic's daughter, while peacekeepers inspected civilian vehicles at checkpoints at entrances to the town.
Sullivan declined to say whether Karadzic was a target, but said 80 NATO soldiers from a special unit based in Sarajevo took part in the operation to ensure suspects who had been active in the 1992-5 war did not leave the area.