Serb suspect Plavsic due in Belgrade tomorrow

Former Bosnian Serb leader and war crimes suspect Ms Biljana Plavsic will arrive in Belgrade tomorrow after being temporarily…

Former Bosnian Serb leader and war crimes suspect Ms Biljana Plavsic will arrive in Belgrade tomorrow after being temporarily released from UN detention, Serbia's Justice Minister Mr Vladan Batic said today.

The UN tribunal said on August 29 that Ms Plavsic (71) would be released pending her trial on genocide charges in The Hague. Judge Richard May ruled that she would reside in Serbia.

Ms Plavsic is the fourth suspect to be granted temporary release from the UN facility, which holds dozens of prominent suspects including former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Ms Plavsic - who gave herself up in January and is co-operating with prosecutors - is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war after serving as Bosnian Serb president during the 1992-95 war.

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Both Serbia and Bosnia's Serb republic had offered to guarantee Ms Plavsic's safety, ensure she does not threaten potential witnesses and returns to the Netherlands for her trial, which is expected to start next year.

Mr Batic said Ms Plavsic would address reporters at the airport but would not speak about the proceedings against her since she is banned from doing so under the UN court's rules.