Hague issues sealed indictments

The international war crimes tribunal in the Hague has said there are 12 sealed indictments for people suspected of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia.

It is the first time the tribunal has announced the number of such indictments.

A spokesman said the figure was made public to counter reports in Yugoslavia of a much higher number.

The tribunal began issuing sealed indictments a few years ago because public ones had allowed suspects to go into hiding.

A number of arrests have been made on such indictments.

The tribunal said that all-in-all, 38 people suspected of war crimes are still at large.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service