A hearing on Serbia's request for the extradition of Ejup Ganic, a former Bosnian Presidency member accused of war crims against Yugoslav army (JNA) soldiers in Sarajevo in 1992, began at a court in central London on Monday, British media said.
According to the BBC, Ganic said before entering the court room that Serbia's request was politically motivated and that he would not receive a fair trial in Serbia.
"They hope to rewrite history because this is a country that committed genocide. It is 18 years after these events and there were hundreds and hundreds of incidents of this kind. They are trying to confuse the British judicial system, to say 'we are an organised country that can give a fair trial'," BBC quoted him as saying.
The extradition case is expected to last until July 14.
Ganic was arrested at Heathrow Airport on March 1 on a warrant issued by Serbia. The Belgrade Higher Court launched an investigation into him in December 2008 on suspicion that he had ordered attacks on JNA facilities and soldiers in Sarajevo in 1992.
He was accused of war crimes against wounded and sick persons, unlawful killing and wounding of the enemy, and use of prohibited combat devices.
Ganic was released from custody in Great Britain 10 days after his arrest on EUR 300,000 bail. He was banned from leaving the country until a decision has been made on his extradition.
After the case at the London court is over, the final decision on the extradition is expected to be made by the British home secretary.
