PLAVSIC TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY AT ICTY DETENTION CENTRE

ZAGREB/HAGUE, Jan 19 (Hina) - A former president of the Bosnian Serb entity, Biljana Plavsic, will remain at the detention centre of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the tribunal reported on Friday, after having considered accommodation conditions. Plavsic surrendered to the Hague tribunal of her own accord last week. She has been indicted for genocide, crimes against humanity, violations of the law and customs of war and severe violations of the Geneva Conventions committed in Bosnia-Herzegovina during 1991 and 1992. Plavsic is the first female inmate among the centre's 34 inmates. ICTY president Claude Jorda today decided on detention conditions for Plavsic after her defence withdrew their request that she be accommodated in a 'safe house' or in a prison in the Bosnian Serb entity. Plavsic will be detained in the section of the Scheveningen prison for female prisoners and will be supervised by female wardens. She will be able to use recreational facilities as well as the prison library when they are not used by male inmates. She will also be able to meet other prisoners during activities organised by her detention unit and in line with special requests. The detention unit will soon secure another cell for Plavsic, adjacent to the one she is currently using. (hina) rml