"I expect Croatia to voice its opinion in the next several days and in case the proceedings is launched, it will request Purda's extradition and we will notify Bosnia and Herzegovina that we agree with that or that we believe that the proceedings should be held in Croatia," Malovic told Radio Television Serbia.

Malovic said in a brief statement that this did not mean that Serbia gave up on the proceedings.

"The proceedings is still active and we will monitor it closely and see if all evidence has been introduced and which facts have been established," the Serbian minister stressed.

The Croatian Chief State Attorney's Office (DORH) received around noon on Friday a copy of a file charging Purda with war crimes against wounded and infirm persons.

DORH decided to refer the case to the Osijek County Prosecutor's Office instead of the Vukovar County Prosecutor's Office which has territorial and subject matter jurisdiction in the case.

After it studies the submitted material, the Osijek County Prosecutor's Office will decide on further proceedings.

The State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier on Friday turned down a request to release Purda from extradition custody, but allowed for the possibility of his being extradited to Croatia if it is approved in writing by the judicial authorities of Serbia, which had issued an international warrant for Purda's arrest on war crimes charges.

Should Serbia decide not to request Purda's extradition, then he would need to tell the court whether he agrees to be extradited to Croatia. If he agreed, the judicial authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia could organise his transfer to Croatia within 48 hours.

Purda has been in custody in Zenica prison since January 5 when he was arrested on entering Bosnia and Herzegovina from Croatia at the Orasje border crossing.