Ganic released

A former member of the Bosnian wartime presidency, Ejup Ganic, who was arrested in Britain last week on suspicion of war crimes, was released on bail by the High Court in London on Thursday.

As the London judge read out the verdict, Ganic's son Emir and daughter Emina embraced.

"We are very happy with the outcome, it has been very emotional," said Emir Ganic. "This is just the first step. My father is an academic who has never spent a day in prison before."

Speaking in court on Thursday, Lord Justice John Laws said Ganic's release was "subject to stringent conditions," including a curfew, daily reports to a police station and orders to live at an undisclosed London address.

The 300,000 pound (330,000 euros, $451,000) security payment ensuring his release was provided by "an anonymous lady of substantial means," the judge said. The vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham, a colleague of Ganic, also paid a surety of 25,000 pounds.

War crimes allegations

Ejup Ganic, 64, was a member of Bosnia's presidency during the 1992-1995 war. He is accused of involvement in a May 1992 attack on a retreating convoy of the Yugoslav People's Army that killed several soldiers and officers.

Ganic denies the charges, and his lawyers argued in court that his March 1 arrest at London Heathrow airport was "politically motivated and illegal."

A day before his release, Serbia sent an official extradition request accompanied by "extensive documentation," the Serbian Justice Ministry said. Bosnia also claims the right to prosecute Ganic because he is a Bosnian resident and the alleged war crimes were committed on Bosnian territory.

acb/dpa/AFP/AP
Editor: Rob Turner