Appeal court backs Milosevic's detention
Serbia's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Slobodan Milosevic's lawyer, against the former president's extended detention.
The Belgrade district court ruled on April 30 to have Milosevic detained for two more months. It feared he may flee the country if freed.
Milosevic was arrested on April 1 on suspicion of corruption and abuse of power while Yugoslav president.
Initial detention was set for one month to allow the new, pro-democracy authorities to build their case against Milosevic.
Under Serbian law, a detainee's stay in jail can be extended up to six months.
Milosevic's lawyer Toma Fila dismissed as "ridiculous" the court's contention that Milosevic could flee or "be abducted by supporters" .
Since his arrest, Milosevic has been held in a specially refurbished cell in the capital's Central Prison. His associates have demanded he be released and allowed to defend himself from freedom. They have also complain that his health is deteriorating under prison conditions.
The former president is also wanted by the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged atrocities against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, a southern province of Serbia.
