UN war crimes trial of senior Serbs to resume

In a decision published Monday, Yugoslav war crimes tribunal judges ordered the trial of two senior Serb security chiefs to resume more than a year after it was halted amid health concerns for one of the defendants. Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic went on trial in April 2008 on charges of training, arming and directing paramilitary units that murdered and persecuted non-Serbs during the Balkan wars. Both men have pleaded not guilty. The trial was stopped on May 16 because of fears Stanisic was too ill to effectively participate in his own defense due to conditions including depression and kidney stones. Citing recent medical reports on Stanisic's condition, judges ruled he is now well enough for the case to resume May 25.