Milosevic remanded in jail by Yugoslav judge

A judge has ordered that Slobodan Milosevic should be held for 30 days in jail as part of an investigation into corruption charges.

His lawyer told reporters he would appeal, but he doubted the order would be overturned.

Mr Milosevic surrendered before dawn after a 26-hour stand-off with police.

His lawyer said the former president is allowed visits by his family, but he has not been granted any special conditions in prison. He will be allowed to have books and newspapers brought to his cell.

Mr Milosevic's arrest follows US threats to suspend $50m in economic aid if the Yugoslav government did not show willingness, by Saturday, to co-operate with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

But government officials said the detention was not linked to the deadline.

The UN tribunal indicted Mr Milosevic in connection with atrocities committed during his harsh crackdown on ethnic Albanians.

Welcoming the arrest, tribunal spokesman Jim Landale said Yugoslavia has a "binding obligation" to turn him over.

The Yugoslavs have refused to extradite Mr Milosevic to The Hague, insisting he should be tried at home for corruption and other alleged crimes.

Charges against Mr Milosevic include abuse of power and corruption that cost the state close to $100m. Mr Milosevic would face a maximum five-year prison term if convicted.