Milosevic seeks help from Dutch courts

The Canadian lawyers regard Mr Milosevic as a political prisoner

Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic is to start proceedings in the Dutch courts to challenge the legality of his arrest and detention, lawyers said on Thursday.

An action will be commenced in Dutch courts in a very short time

Christopher Black

Mr Milosevic has been detained in The Hague by the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) since his extradition from Belgrade at the end of June.

Canadian lawyer Christopher Black, the leader of the international committee to defend Slobodan Milosevic, told reporters: "An action will be commenced in Dutch courts in a very short time... to contest the legality of his arrest in Yugoslavia and the legality of his detention by the ICTY."

He said challenges would also be launched at the European Commission, and the UN General Assembly in an attempt to secure Mr Milosevic's release.

'Kidnapping'

His arrest in Yugoslavia was outright kidnapping

Christopher Black

Mr Black's colleague, Andre Tremblay, said Dutch law includes a provision that allows a person to contest his detention if during the arrest the laws of the country where the arrest took place were not respected.

Mr Black said: "[Mr Milosevic] should be released. His arrest in Yugoslavia was outright kidnapping."

The tribunal has charged Mr Milosevic with committing crimes against humanity during the Kosovo conflict two years ago.

Mr Milosevic refused to recognise the legitimacy of the tribunal at his first appearance on 3 July.

Mr Black and his colleagues also argue that the UN Security Council had no authority to set up the war crimes tribunal in 1993.

Separation

The Canadian lawyer said that Mr Milosevic, held in isolation at the UN's detention centre on the outskirts of The Hague, was missing his family and his native Serbia greatly.

"Mr Milosevic suffers, really suffers, from being separated from his family and his people," he said.

The former Yugoslav strongman's wife, Mira Markovic, has applied for a visa to visit him, but Dutch authorities have not yet granted it.