Swiss probe Milosevic gold allegations

The Swiss authorities are investigating whether gold shipped from Yugoslavia last year can be linked to the ousted president, Slobodan Milosevic.

Swiss officials confirmed that the gold -- thought to be worth more than one million dollars -- was sold in Switzerland, and the proceeds sent to companies in Greece and Cyprus.

Yesterday Wednesday, the federal prosecutor's office in Belgrade ordered an investigation of reports that Mr Milosevic had smuggled the gold out of the country.

Meanwhile, a small group of elderly Milosevic supporters has gathered near the former president's home in the Yugoslav capital.

They promised to protect him from arrest and what they called a staged political trial.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service