Slobodan Milosevic's warn crimes trial was in jeopardy tonight when a medical report raised the possibility that the former Yugoslav leader could be declared unfit to continue the ordeal and perhaps even freed.
The UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague postponed the start of Milosevic's defence case for a third time today over concerns about his health.
Former Yugoslav President Slobodan
A new medical report from his doctors - which cited "organ damage" from high blood pressure - said Milosevic has suffered damage to his heart from the stress of defending himself, and the judges said they will review whether his trial for war crimes and genocide can continue.
Even after a four-month break in hearings and a shortening of his trial schedule, Milosevic's blood pressure is still at dangerously high levels, the report said.
"The trial chamber is clearly of the view that the time has come for a radical review of the trial process and the continuation of the trial in light of the health problems of the accused," said presiding Judge Patrick Robinson of Jamaica.
A ruling on how the case would proceed was expected within a few days.
Milosevic had been scheduled today to give a four hour opening statement and then begin calling witnesses. He has submitted a list of 1,400 names of potential witnesses - including Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US President Bill Clinton, but will only have 150 days to present his case - the same number of days as the prosecution.
Milosevic challenges the authority of the court, and repeated today he believes the trial is political. He denies wrongdoing but refused to enter a plea. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.
Milosevic, a lawyer has insisted on defending himself. But, facing repeated trial delays, prosecutors again pressed the court to appoint defence counsel, although previous motions to do so were dismissed.
In the past, the court found that the defendant's right to represent himself was more important than a speedy trial.
The trial had been in recess since prosecutors completed their case in February after calling nearly 300 witnesses. It had been due to resume on June 8th, but was also delayed then for health reasons.
The prosecution's case took two years to present, in part because Milosevic's doctors ordered that he have frequent rest breaks.
The three-judge panel which sat today included a new judge, Lord Bonomy of Scotland, who replaced the previous senior judge, Briton Richard May, who died last week after an unspecified illness.
Milosevic had been preparing his defence against 66 war crimes counts stemming from the Balkan wars of the 1990s. His chief Belgrade lawyer, Zdenco Tomanovic, said Milosevic missed 51 working days of preparation because of illness and was not ready or healthy enough to conduct his defence.
Milosevic's lawyer serves in an advisory role only, helping him with research. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
Despite his doctors' prognosis, in the courtroom today Milosevic looked fit and alert, arguing with the court over whether it had the right to release his medical records and accusing the judges of ignoring a report by his doctor after an examination in the morning that he should remain in his cell.
Milosevic compared his treatment at the UN detention unit to the medieval Inquisition, and gruffly rejected the prosecution's motion to appoint counsel. "It is out of the question, nor will I ever agree to it," he told the judges.
According to a doctor's report, Milosevic has suffered "organ damage" due to high blood pressure, including "hypertrophy of the left ventricle," meaning an enlargement of the main pumping chamber of the heart.
Trial watchers said the court is likely to appoint a defence lawyer - despite Milosevic's objections. Such a ruling would be a severe setback for the former Yugoslav strongman, depriving him of the stage on which he's sought to rally supporters back home.
Milosevic still has a wide following in Serbia, and his courtroom polemics have won him renewed popularity at home, nearly four years after he was toppled from power by a popular revolt.
If a lawyer is appointed, the first question he would likely raise would be whether Milosevic was able to stand trial. Experts say that the court would have no alternative but to free Milosevic if he is found unfit and the case is halted.