Milosevic health forces trial cut

The trial is said to have taken a toll on Milosevic' health

The trial of Slobodan Milosevic is to be scaled back to three days a week amid continuing fears over the state of his health.

The cut from the current timetable of four days a week was agreed by judges after doctors warned that his high blood pressure was posing health risks.

"The cardiologist's report indicates that the accused is suffering from hypertension with steep rises in blood pressure in periods of stress," trial judge Richard May said.

"He displayed symptoms of exhaustion and extreme fatigue coupled with rises in blood pressure to unacceptable levels."

Repeated halts

Mr Milosevic's trial, which began 19 months ago, has been repeatedly interrupted by his poor health.

It is currently in its ninth period of suspension.

Doctors fear Mr Milosevic could be at risk of a heart attack. His fatigue is believed to have been worsened by his insistence on conducting his own defence against 66 charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Prosecution concerns

The four-day regime in the Milosevic trial was already a concession to the former president's poor health.

Prosecutors are unhappy about the repeated delays, claiming the trial is being affected as witness schedules are interrupted.

They want the court to appoint a lawyer to assist Mr Milosevic with his workload.

The court has already appointed standby defence council to assist Vojislav Seselj, another Serb nationalist who opted to defend himself.

After the prosecution case against Mr Milosevic is concluded, he will be given weeks to present his defence.