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Serbian court to discuss Karadzic's appeal

Other News Materials 28 July 2008 12:42 (UTC +04:00)

Serbian officials will announce on Monday whether Radovan Karadzic's appeal against extradition to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague was filed before the deadline on Friday midnight, reported dpa.

Karadzic's brother Luka said during the weekend that the appeal has been filed, while his lawyer Svetozar Vujacic didn't want to comment, saying "secrecy is part of Karadzic's defence".

Karadzic had until Friday midnight to appeal against extradition and his lawyer said earlier he would wait until the last minute to file an appeal so that his client could stay in Serbia for a few more days.

When the court receives the appeal the panel of judges will have three days to decide on it. If they dismiss it, as Karadzic's lawyer believes they will, the Ministry of Justice will sign an extradition warrant and Karadzic will be sent to the Hague.

Hague tribunal has charged former Bosnian Serb leader on genocide and crimes against humanity during the Bosnia war 1992-95. Karadzic said he will defend himself like his mentor, late autocrat Slobodan Milosevic and leader of Serbian ultranationalist Radical Party Vojislav Ssesselj.

So far it is unknown when Karadzic will be extradited. Officials in Belgrade court said Monday is the earliest possible date, but his lawyer said he is trying to keep him in Belgrade until the "All Serbs" protest on Tuesday evening and until his family arrives in Belgrade.

"My goal is to prevent his extradition until Tuesday, but we are aware that will unfortunately happen," Vujacic said.

Karadzic's family asked international representative in Bosnia Miroslav Lajcak to return their travel documents so that they can see Karadzic in Belgrade. They say they don't have enough money to travel to the Hague.

Serbian radicals and other ultranationalists plan to organize a huge rally on Tuesday evening to protest against the arrest of Karadzic.

Ultranationalist have been organizing protests daily since Karadzic was arrested on July 21, frequently clashing with the police, trashing bars and offices and attacking journalists.

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