Milosevic trial extended by months

Slobodan Milosevic has suffered repeated illnesses

War crimes prosecutors have won an extra 100 days to present their case against former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

The prosecution case had been due to finish by last week, but prosecutors at the war crimes tribunal at The Hague asked for more time to build their case over the wars in Bosnia and Croatia.

The trial of Mr Milosevic, which began in February 2002, has suffered repeated delays because of the former leader's poor health.

The trial chamber has come to the conclusion that it is in the interest of justice to allow the prosecution to call more witnesses that it regards as essential Judge Richard May

The court had already agreed to an extra 54 trial days to make up for some of the lost days.

The extra 46 days were approved by trial judge Richard May.

"The trial chamber has come to the conclusion that it is in the interest of justice to allow the prosecution to call more witnesses that it regards as essential... and to allow the prosecution 100 days from the 16th of May this year as the time available for presenting its evidence," said Judge May.

Prosecutors had wanted longer than the extra 100 days. They have not yet identified all the witnesses they wish to call, and believe it could take them until early next year to wrap up their case.

'Oppressive' trial

But the lawyers appointed by the court to represent Mr Milosevic argued that the prosecution case could become "excessively long and oppressive".

Judge May said the extra 100 days struck a balance between the two opposing views.

After the prosecution has finished its case, Mr Milosevic will have the right to begin his defence - which theoretically also take months.

He is accused of more than 60 charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the 1990s wars in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.

Criminal charges

The trial is expected to finish in 2005.

While on trial in The Hague, Mr Milosevic has also been charged in Serbia with serious criminal offences.

He has been charged with organising the attempted assassination of his rival, Vuk Draskovic, and with inciting the murder of the former Serbian president, Ivan Stambolic.

Police found Mr Stambolic's remains in a ditch in northern Serbia during a crackdown on organised crime following the murder of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic on 12 March.