Hague grants seriously ill Šešelj provisional release

Hague grants seriously ill Šešelj provisional release

THE HAGUE, BELGRADE -- The Hague Tribunal (ICTY) has granted provisional release to the leader of the Serb Radical Party (SRS), Vojislav Šešelj.

This was confirmed late on Thursday for B92 by Hague spokesperson Magdalena Spalinska.

Šešelj, who has been incarcerated for more than 11 years as is currently on trial on charges of war crimes, is ill with cancer.

The Tribunal said it will grant him provisional release so he can receive "adequate treatment."

Earlier, Serbian officials said they had offered guarantees for his release that were identical to the ones provided earlier this year - when Šešelj refused the conditions set by the court.

Those included house arrest, police escort during "movement for medical purposes"; and also a ban on communications with the victims related to his case, a ban on public consideration of his case, a ban on participation in "the political life," and confiscation of his passport.

The Serb Radical Party said this evening they could not comment on the Hague Tribunal's decision as they are awaiting an official proposal and communication with their leader.