UN tribunal suspends Milosevic genocide trial for medical reasons

The genocide trial of Slobodan Milosevic was adjourned for the rest of the week, in part due to medical reasons, the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) announced today.

The Tribunal gave no further explanation, but said in a statement that no trial proceedings would be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Trial Chamber is not scheduled to sit on Thursday and Friday.

Early this summer, the former Yugoslav President was found to be at severe risk from heart problems, according to a medical report requested by the UN court. The trial judges recommended further treatment for Mr. Milosevic, and requested a report from a cardiologist before they consider further steps to ease any stress on his health.

The Tribunal had asked for an independent report on Mr. Milosevic's health following concerns earlier this year about his illnesses, which have delayed progress in his trial for war crimes allegedly committed in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.