Greek intellectuals call for Milosevic's release

A group of 19 Greek intellectuals and artists, including the renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis, have signed a letter calling for the former Yugoslav leader, Slobodan Milosevic, to be freed from detention by the international war crimes tribunal.

They say that Mr Milosevic is the victim of an illegal violation of Yugoslavia's sovereignty and is an example of Nato countries imposing a philosophy of might-is-right.

Echoing the argument that the deposed president himself made before the tribunal, the letter says it is Nato's leaders who should be in the dock for their bombing of Yugoslavia two years ago.

A BBC correspondent in Athens says the arguments made by Mikis Theodorakis and the other campaigners anticipate what will be said in court during the trial itself next year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service