Karadzic vowing to fight extradition

Karadzic was questioned by a Serbian judge on Tuesday

Captured former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic's lawyer is claiming that Karadzic will fight any move to extradite him to the UN war crimes court at The Hague.

Karadzic is wanted on multiple charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Karadzic was arrested in Serbia on Monday, and has three days in which to appeal against his transfer to The Hague.

The Serbian Foreign Minister, Vuk Jeremic, said the arrest of Karadzic showed his country was firmly committed to European Union membership.

The arrest of Karadzic and other indicted war criminals is one of the main conditions of Serbian progress towards joining the EU.

A new European-leaning government took office in Serbia about two weeks ago.

"One of the utmost priorities for the Serbian government is to make sure that Serbia continues along the path towards full EU membership. There's one remaining obstacle, which is full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal... we have demonstrated that we are really determined in removing this obstacle," Jeremic told the BBC news service.

The EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the arrest had moved Serbia closer to EU candidate status and should pave the way for closer trade ties.

Karadzic, 63, was questioned by a Serbian judge on Tuesday, who ruled that he should be extradited. But his lawyer, Svetozar Vujacic, said he would appeal against the ruling.

"I do not think they will accept my appeal but I want to disrupt their plans to extradite him. I'll use the legal opportunity to appeal on the last possible day, which is Friday. Radovan is feeling great, he is much calmer than I am, he is healthy," he said.

© Mark Will - NewsGirl.Org