Trial Of Ex-Serbian Secret Service Chief Delayed

The U.N. war crimes tribunal on Monday delayed the start of the trial of a former Serbian secret service chief and a Serb commander for the fourth time to allow a video link to be set up for one of the accused.

Jovica Stanisic, 57, is accused along with former commander Franko Simatovic of arming and training militias that committed atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia between 1991-1995. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

The start of the trial of the head of intelligence for the late Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, has been repeatedly delayed due to his health problems.

Last week, the court said Stanisic was fit enough to stand trial. It ordered a video-conference link to be set up in the detention unit to allow him to follow the proceedings and a telephone line to allow him to talk with his lawyers during the trial.

Court officials told the court the video link would not be ready before April 28.

"We take the view that it is more convenient to await April 28 when the full video link is established to have the pre-trial conference and the opening statements," Presiding Judge Patrick Robinson said.

The trial is expected to shed more light on Serbia's involvement in the fighting in Croatia and Bosnia. It had been expected to start on Monday.