BBC News Online: World: Europe

Milosevic on trial

Here, BBC News Online traces the story from his arrest and extradition to his trial.

11 February 2002

The trial of the former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic for war crimes begins in the Hague on Tuesday. The case is complex and the trial could last for years. The prosecution have to prove that as head of state Milosevic was responsible for crimes committed, which will not be easy.

 Click here to watch Jon Silverman's report

3 July 2001

Milosevic scorns UN tribunal

Former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, has become the first ex-head of state to appear before the tribunal in The Hague. The hearing opening lasted less than 15 minutes. Speaking in English he refused to enter a plea to the charges against him, or to have any legal representation, saying he did not recognise the court's authority.

 Click here to watch Bridget Kendall's report from the court in the Hague

 Click here to watch the whole of Mr Milosevic's appearance before the tribunal

 Click here to watch Paul Anderson's report on the reaction from Belgrade

1 July 2001

Slobodan Milosevic has spoken defiantly from his prison cell in The Hague amid continuing tension in Belgrade since his extradition. His supporters, who had been demonstrating in Belgrade, threatened to intensify their protests as he prepared to make his first court appearance on war crimes charges.

 Click here to watch

28 June 2001

Milosevic extradited

The former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, has been handed over to officials from the international war crimes tribunal in the Hague. His extradition came just hours after the Yugoslav constitutional court blocked a government decree allowing Mr Milosevic to be handed over to the Hague. The BBC's James Robbins reports.

 Click here to watch

23 June 2001

Path cleared for Milosevic extradition

The Yugoslav government has passed a decree clearing the way for the extradition of former President Slobodan Milosevic to the UN war crimes tribunal. The decree stated that all alleged war criminals can be handed over at any point to the international tribunal in The Hague, and was a key western condition for billions of dollars worth of aid.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Jim Fish

22 June 2001

Belgrade poised for Milosevic extradition

The Yugoslav government has been preparing to issue a decree which will allow the extradition of war crimes suspects - including former president Milosevic - to the Hague tribunal. The move has come after failed attempts to have the federal parliament pass a law to formalise relations with the tribunal.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Jim Fish

April 2001

Kostunica rules out early Milosevic extradition

Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica has said the extradition of Mr Milosevic to the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague is not his government's immediate priority, despite growing international pressure.

 Click here to watch President Kostunica's statement in full

Milosevic faces fresh grilling

Milosevic has spent a third day being questioned about his role in crimes allegedly committed during his years in power as an arsenal of weapons is removed from his residence.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Paul Anderson in Belgrade

 Click here to listen to Milosevic's lawyer Toma Fila who says he does not think his appeal will be successful

Milosevic pleads for freedom

Yugoslavia has remained under international pressure to hand Mr Milosevic over to the International War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague, where he's accused of genocide in Kosovo.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Jonathan Charles in Belgrade

 Click here to watch Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica: "In order for the country to survive, no one can be untouchable"

 Click here to listen to Vladimir Krisljanin of the Serb Socialist Party: "The accusations against Mr Milosevic are groundless"

Milosevic behind bars

Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic said Mr Milosevic had not yet been formally charged, but would face questioning by an investigating judge on charges of abuse of power and financial corruption.

 Click here to watch a news conference by Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic

Standoff ends in arrest

Government negotiators have spent hours trying to secure a peaceful end to the standoff, amid speculation until the last minute that force would have to be used. Mr Milosevic was arrested and taken to prison after a siege lasting 36 hours.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Jonathan Charles in Belgrade

March 2001

Milosevic digs in his heels

During the standoff, Mr Milosevic had boasted that he would "not go to jail alive". He is wanted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook described the events as "an endgame" for the former president.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's David Loyn at the British Foreign Office

Police storm villa

The drama began when shots were fired at the Belgrade residence of the former president. Police burst into his house after struggling outside with several hundred supporters who had been holding a vigil on the pavement.

 Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Jonathan Charles in Belgrade