Slobodan Milo?evi?

Slobodan Milo?evi? {{Audio|sr-SlobodanMilosevic.ogg|listen}} (Serbian: ???????? ?????????, pronounced {{IPA|}}; born 20 August 1941) is a former President of Serbia and of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as well as leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia.

Downfall

On 4 February 1997 Milo?evi? recognized the opposition victories in some local elections, having contested the results for 11 weeks.

Related Topics:
4 February - 1997

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Constitutionally limited to two terms as Serbian president, on July 23, 1997 Milo?evi? assumed the presidency of the Yugoslav Federation (currently Serbia and Montenegro). Armed actions by Albanian separatist groups and Serbian police and military counter-action in Serbia's previously autonomous (and 80% Albanian) province of Kosovo culminated in escalating warfare in 1998, NATO air strikes against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in March-June 1999, and Serbia's subsequent military withdrawal from the province. During the Kosovo War he was indicted on 27 May 1999 for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Kosovo, and he is currently (2005) standing trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, which he asserts is illegal, having been established in contravention of the UN-charter. His defence is presented by the International Committee for the Defence of Slobodan Milosevic and by Slobodan-Milosevic.orghttp://www.slobodan-milosevic.org.

Related Topics:
Serbian president - July 23 - 1997 - Presidency - Serbia and Montenegro - Albanian - NATO air strikes - Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - Kosovo War - 27 May - 1999 - War crime - Crimes against humanity - Kosovo - Trial - International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

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The Yugoslav constitution called for a two round election with all but the two leading candidates eliminated for the second round. Official results put Ko?tunica ahead of Milo?evi? but at under 50%. Opinion polls suggested that supporters of most of the minor candidates would go to Milo?evi? as would numbers of people who abstained in the first round but would oppose an opposition supported by the NATO powers.

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Milo?evi?'s rejection of claims of a first-round opposition victory in new elections for the Federal presidency in September 2000 led to mass demonstrations in Belgrade on 5 October and the collapse of the regime's authority. Opposition-list leader Vojislav Ko?tunica took office as Yugoslav president on 6 October. Ironically, Milo?evi? lost his grip on power by losing in elections which he scheduled prematurely (before the end of his mandate) and that he did not even need to win in order to retain power which was centered in the parliaments which his party and its associates controlled.

Related Topics:
5 October - Vojislav Ko?tunica - 6 October

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Arrested on 1 April 2001 on charges of abuse of power and corruption, Milo?evi? was illegally handed over by the Serbian government on 28 June to the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, although the Constitution explicitly prohibited extradition of Yugoslav citizens. Ko?tunica formally opposed the transfer.

Related Topics:
1 April - 2001 - 28 June - United Nations - International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

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