Trial started against former Milosevic aides

The UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague began the trial against Stanisic, chief of Milosevic's secret police during the 1990s war, and Franko Simatovic, in charge of the secret police Special Operations.

Stanisic was charged with creating a large covert fighting force under the Ministry of Interior and regularly moved ahead of military columns to terrorize, expel and kill thousands of non-Serb civilians to secure more lands for Serbs only.

Stanisic is not in court due to kidney problems and a severe depression and a video link to his prison is used.