The former Bosnian Serb army chief, General Ratko Mladic, who is facing genocide charges in The Hague, has been moved out of isolated detention and transferred to a regular ward.

The general had been held in solitary confinement since his arraignment on 3 June.

Other inmates at the detention facility of the UN tribunal for the former Yugoslavia gave him a warm welcome, General Mladic’s lawyer said.

With some of them he has already played chess, his favourite sport.

Other inmates at the ward include the nationalist leader of the Serb National Party, Vojislav Seselj, and the Croat General Ante Gotovina.

Dentist
The former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic is being held at a different ward.

It is not yet clear if the tribunal will allow them to meet, which would enable them to coordinate their defences, parts of which relate to the same allegations.

Dentists at the prison have pulled six of the Mr Mladic’s teeth and a team of doctors will closely monitor his health.

Earlier this year, the general suffered two strokes, for which he has not been treated.

Trial
Mr Mladic has been charged with genocide and crimes against humanity among other things.

(cl)

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