Concerns about Mr Slobodan Milosevic's health could affect his trial after doctors warned he was at risk of heart disease, the Hague tribunal heard today.
The former Yugoslav leader, who looked relaxed after a four-week break in his trial at the Hague war crimes tribunal, was asked last month to have a check-up by a cardiologist because he faced "severe cardiovascular risk".
Judges, who have imposed time restrictions on both sides due to the enormous scope of the trial, have asked prosecutors to conclude their case by May next year. Mr Milosevic will then begin his defence case. The trial started in February.
"The [latest] medical report on the health of the accused may have some impact on the speed of the trial," presiding judge Mr Richard May said after Milosevic came into court.
Judges have said Mr Milosevic's health was of paramount concern and urged him to appoint a legal associate to help cross-examine witnesses after he opted to defend himself. He spurned the advice, saying he did not recognise the court.
The landmark trial has been adjourned several times since it started in February because of Mr Milosevic's health problems. He has suffered two bouts of flu.
Mr Milosevic, who is accused of spearheading ethnic cleansing in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo in a bid to secure Serb domination of the former Yugoslavia after communism collapsed, turned 61 last week.