DNA confirms war crimes suspect

2008-06-12 21:12

Belgrade - DNA tests confirmed the identity of a war crimes suspect who had claimed mistaken identity, authorities said on Thursday.

Stojan Zupljanin, 57, was arrested on Wednesday after nine years on the run from war crimes charges. Zupljanin, a former Bosnian Serb police chief, is accused of overseeing Serb-run prison camps during the Balkans wars of the 1990s.

Detained in Pancevo, about 20 kilometres from Belgrade, the suspect had insisted to court officials that he was Branislav Vukadin from Backa Palanka in northern Serbia.

But a check of his fingerprints and DNA confirmed he is Zupljanin, court spokesperson Ivana Ramic said.

Zupljanin first was indicted on genocide charges in 1999, but that indictment later was amended to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The European Union urged his transfer to the UN tribunal in The Hague "without delay". The EU presidency also said Serb authorities must "strengthen efforts" to capture three remaining war crimes fugitives.

Two key fugitives are still at large: former Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic and his military commander General Ratko Mladic, both wanted for genocide.

Serbia must arrest all accused war criminals if it wants to move toward joining the EU. Last week, chief UN prosecutor Serge Brammertz said the suspects were "within reach" of Belgrade authorities.

- AP