Former Bosnian president Ejup Ganic arrested at Heathrow

Heathrow police today arrested Ejup Ganic, the former Bosnian president, who is accused of responsibility for ambushing a Yugoslav army column in Sarajevo. Ganic, a US-educated engineering professor, was detained while preparing to fly home from the UK. He was arrested on an extradition request from the Serbian authorities, who have included him on a wanted list for roles in the 1992-95 war. Ganic had been in the UK for several days, attending events at Buckingham University, which is partnered with the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology . Rumours that Ganic had been arrested last week on arrival in Britain were denied, but police confirmed tonight that he had been detained on an extradition request from Serbia. Ganic has been held responsible for allegedly hijacking a Yugoslav army convoy withdrawing from Sarajevo in May 1992, a month after the Bosnian war started. Serb authorities say 42 soldiers were killed in the incident. He is one of 19 Bosnians accused of involvement in the attack. The other 18 are also former officials of Bosnia's wartime government. Ganic served as both vice-president and president of Bosnia-Herzegovina after it broke from the former Yugoslavia. Following his arrest today, Ganic appeared at the City of Westminster magistrates court. Serbian authorities are now expected to file papers to support their extradition request ahead of a hearing date being fixed. In a statement, the Foreign Office confirmed the arrest, but said: "As the case is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."