Mladic complains to court of ill health

Former Bosnian Serb army chief Ratko Mladic has told a judge he is suffering from a kidney stone and demanded to be examined by Serbian doctors.

Mladic, 69, told the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia - where he faces genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity charges - that he had experienced ''strong pain''.

''I ask that Serbia enable the doctors who have examined me from 1996 to 1998 and knew my exact state at the time, could examine me,'' Mladic said.

During the hearing on Thursday Mladic looked tired and did not rise from his seat when Dutch judge Alphons Orie entered the courtroom.

Mladic was in court for a fourth time since his arrest and transfer to the UN's detention unit in The Hague in early June after being on the run for 16 years. Proceedings were delayed for 1¼ hours. ''I was informed you didn't feel well this morning and that you couldn't stand up. I hope you can stand up to leave the courtroom,'' Judge Orie said.

''Apologies for the delay, it was due to my health,'' answered Mladic. ''I have serious health problems, but I will fight to recover.''

Mladic, who faces 11 counts before the tribunal for his part in the 1992-95 war in Bosnia, has complained about health issues since his first appearance on June 3.

Mladic is accused of masterminding the murder of about 8000 Muslim men and boys over a six-day period at Srebrenica in July 1995, in Europe's bloodiest episode since World War II.

Prosecutor Serge Brammertz's office in August filed a motion asking judges to divide the original indictment for Mladic into two separate trials.