NETHERLANDS: FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER BILJANA PLAVSIC GIVEN TEMPORARY RELEASE BY U.N. WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO TRAVEL TO BELGRADE BEFORE HER TRIAL

Record ID: 647233

  • Title: NETHERLANDS: FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER BILJANA PLAVSIC GIVEN TEMPORARY RELEASE BY U.N. WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO TRAVEL TO BELGRADE BEFORE HER TRIAL
  • Date: 6th September 2001
  • Summary: (U5) AMSTERDAM , NETHERLANDS (SEPTEMBER 6, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WS: EXTERIOR SCHIPHOL AIRPORT 0.05 2. SLV: PASSENGERS TRAVELLING ON MOVING WALKWAY 0.10 3. CU: DEPARTURES TO BELGRADE DISPLAYED ON MONITOR 0.15 4. WIDE OF PLANE AT TERMINAL WITH WALKWAY ATTACHED 0.20 5. SV/SLV/WS: AIRPORT WORKERS/ BAGGAGE BEING LOADED ONTO PLANE (3 SHOTS) 0.35 6. MV: FORMER SERB LEADER BILJANA PLAVSIC LEAVING VEHICLE AND ASCENDING STEPS TO AIRCRAFT 0.59 7. MV: AIRPORT WORKERS 1.06 8. SV: PLAVSIC ENTERING AIRCRAFT 1.24 9. SV: PILOT IN COCKPIT 1.30 10. SV: AIRPORT WORKERS 1.34 11. PULL OUT: PLANE TAXIING TO RUNWAY 1.54 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 21st September 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Reuters ID: LVADD8D5HRQL4Q1R4ZA8Q8CPQBH9
  • Story Text: The former Bosnian Serb leader Biljana Plavsic has been
    given provisional release by the U.N. war crimes tribunal to
    travel to Belgrade until the start of her trial for genocide.



    Former Bosnian Serb leader Biljana Plavsic left the
    Netherlands for Belgrade on Thursday (September 6) after being
    temporarily released from U.N. detention pending her genocide
    trial.

    Plavsic was granted provisional release by the Hague war
    crimes tribunal on August 29. Judges ruled that she could stay
    in Serbia until her trial, expected to begin early next year.

    The Yugoslav Airlines scheduled flight carrying Plavsic, 71,
    taxied away from its stand at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport at
    around 2:35 p.m. (1235 GMT), witnesses said. It was delayed
    by several hours after the incoming flight came in late.

    Plavsic was driven to the aircraft under police escort and
    was flanked by security guards as she climbed the steps to the
    plane, but witnesses said she boarded the flight alone.

    The only woman to be held at the detention centre in The
    Hague, Plavsic is the fourth suspect to be granted temporary
    release from the U.N. facility, which holds dozens of suspects
    including former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

    Plavsic gave herself up in January and is cooperating with
    prosecutors. She pleaded not guilty to genocide, crimes
    against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war
    after serving as Bosnian Serb president during the 1992-95
    war.

    Both Serbia and Bosnia's Serb republic had offered to
    guarantee her safety, ensure she did not threaten potential
    witnesses and make sure she returns to the Netherlands for her
    trial.

    Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic said on Wednesday
    (September 5) that Plavsic would address reporters at Belgrade
    airport but would not speak about the proceedings against her
    since the U.N. court's rules forbid her from doing so.

    Plavsic is indicted together with fellow ex-Bosnian Serb
    leader Momcilo Krajisnik, whose recent requests to be allowed
    to attend his father's funeral and subsequent memorial service
    were denied by Hague judges, who said they were not convinced
    he would return to tribunal custody if provisionally released.
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