Belgrade - Serbia's new reformist rulers said yesterday the arrest of Mr Slobodan Milosevic's secret police chief on suspicion of multiple murder meant the law was closing in on the former leader himself.
Mr Rade Markovic was arrested as part of an investigation into accusations that he ordered the assassination of a political opponent of Mr Milosevic. The alleged attempt failed but four other people were killed.
"This is just the beginning of the story and probably at the top of the pyramid is Slobodan Milosevic, but we want everything done according to the law, backed up with facts, evidence and arguments," said the Serbian Justice Minister, Mr Vladan Batic.
He was quoted as telling a local radio station it was "logical to expect that the arrest of Rade Markovic is a step that can tighten the net" around Mr Milosevic.