Mladic set to boycott UN court hearing

Former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic has threatened to boycott a hearing at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, where he is scheduled to enter pleas to charges including genocide.

The 69-year-old Mladic said he will boycott today's arraignment to demand the power to choose his own defence attorneys, according to lawyer Milos Saljic.

Officials at the UN court asked for more time last week to vet the list of lawyers Mladic has submitted to verify their qualifications and eligibility.

Mr Saljic said that Mladic wants him and a Russian lawyer.

Court spokeswoman Nerma Jelacic said yesterday the tribunal had not been officially informed of any planned boycott "so preparations for tomorrow are ongoing as planned".