Some 2,000 loyalists of Slobodan Milosevic staged a rally today to demand his release from prison, one day after the ex-Yugoslav president returned to his jail cell following a hospital stay due to a heart complaint.
Shouting Free Milosevic, The protesters turned out in front of the Serbian government building at the calling of his Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), carrying photos of the former strongman. Some waved placards saying arrest me I am also Slobodan, A pun on his first name which means free in Serbian.

The mainly elderly and peaceful demonstrators marched toward the Belgrade district court where they planned to deliver a written declaration calling for Milosevic's release.
When no one emerged from the building to receive the document, SPS supporters told reporters they would launch a petition drive to demand his release on bail pending trial. Carrying Serbian and Yugoslav Flags, the crowd warmly welcomed SPS officials who insisted that Milosevic should have remained in hospital.

A judge ruled yesterday that Milosevic, who has been jailed since April 1 facing charges of abuse of power and corruption, should return to prison after a team of doctors who had examined him reported that the former leader was fit to be discharged.

Milosevic was sent back to the same cell he had occupied before he was rushed to hospital late Wednesday complaining of chest pains.
Bureau Report