Milosevic's Party Says Imprisonment Worsens His Health

The condition of the imprisoned former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic is "drastically worsening," said the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) in a statement Monday.

The SPS warned that Milosevic's hypertension, which was measured at 125/195 Wednesday, could lead to a serious heart attack or even death given the current conditions of imprisonment. The Party asked the authorities to provide him with the necessary treatment.

Milosevic was rushed last Wednesday from his cell at Belgrade's Central Prison to a military hospital after he complained of chest pains, a possible symptom of heart trouble caused by high blood pressure.

However, Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic said in a statement the following day that a team of 10 medical experts concluded after medical checkups that the former leader is " absolutely" in good conditions. Milosevic was sent back to prison on Friday afternoon.

Milosevic was arrested on charges of corruption and abuse of power on April 1. Milosevic's lawyer Toma Fila argued in comments published Saturday that the "current accusations against Milosevic are not enough to prosecute anybody, especially not a former head of state."

Milosevic is wanted by the U.N. war crimes tribunal for alleged atrocities in the Kosovo war. The Yugoslav government has so far refused to extradite him to the Netherlands-based court.






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