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DNA Tests Confirm Identity of Bosnian Serb War Crimes Suspect


Serbian authorities say a DNA analysis has confirmed the identity of Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Stojan Zupljanin.

A spokeswoman for Serbia's war crimes court Ivana Ramic announced the results of the tests Thursday.

Authorities took samples for analysis Wednesday after the suspect told an investigative judge that he is not Zupljanin and identified himself as Branislav Vukadin from the Serbian town of Backa Palanka.

Zupljanin, a former Bosnian Serb police commander, is one of the four top fugitive war crimes suspects wanted by the United Nations tribunal. The Hague-based court indicted him in 1999 on charges of crimes against Croats and Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Balkan conflict.

Authorities are expected to send him to The Hague following conclusion of regular legal procedures.

Chief U.N. war crimes prosecutor Serge Brammertz hailed Zupljanin's arrest. In a statement today, he expressed hope that Serbia will soon bring to justice the remaining top fugitives. They are former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, his military commander Ratko Mladic and former Croatian Serb leader Goran Hadzic.

European Union officials, including foreign policy chief Javier Solana and EU Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn, welcomed the news of Zupljanin's arrest.

The U.S. State Department also has praised Zupljanin's capture.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

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