Judges order Milosevic case delay

Slobodan Milosevic has dismissed the trial as a kangaroo court

Judges have ordered a one-month delay in the war crimes trial of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

The decision was made to give Mr Milosevic's court-appointed lawyers more time to prepare their case.

They were assigned to Mr Milosevic against his will after doctors said he was too ill to conduct his own defence.

The two British lawyers have complained that Mr Milosevic will not co-operate with them and that many defence witnesses are refusing to testify.

'Unfair trial'

Presiding judge Patrick Robinson said he was giving Mr Kay until 12 October to get "an overview of the witness situation", the AFP news agency reported.

Steven Kay and his co-counsel Gillian Higgins have appealed against their appointment, on the grounds that appointing a defence team for Mr Milosevic against his wishes could lead to an unfair trial.

MILOSEVIC TRIAL Began February 2002 Milosevic faces more than 60 charges Prosecutors' case rested February 2004 Court already heard from 295 witnesses Timeline: Milosevic trial

Mr Kay had also asked for the trial at the International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague to be suspended until the appeal is heard, but this request was rejected.

Not date has been set for the appeal.

The former Yugoslav president faces 66 war crimes charges relating to conflicts in the Balkans during the 1990s.

Mr Milosevic's ill health, linked to heart problems and high blood pressure, has repeatedly brought his lengthy trial to a halt, putting it behind schedule.

The former Serb strongman began his own defence in late August, having refused to use lawyers in court since February 2002, when the prosecution began presenting its case.

Earlier this month however, the trial judges appointed Mr Kay and Ms Higgins to defend him.

Mr Milosevic, who has dismissed the charges against him as lies, wants to call more than 1,000 witnesses, but it is unlikely there will be time for all of them during the 150 trial days allotted for his defence.