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Last Updated: Saturday, 2 December 2006, 18:57 GMT
Serbs march in support of Seselj
Serbians marching in support of Vojislav Seselj
Mr Seselj's strong nationalism is still popular with many Serbs
Thousands of people have marched in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, in support of nationalist leader Vojislav Seselj, currently on trial in The Hague.

His trial for war crimes during the break-up of Yugoslavia has been suspended since Friday because of his poor health due to a hunger strike.

Mr Seselj, 52, has been on hunger strike since 10 November.

He is accused of plotting the ethnic cleansing of former Yugoslavia in the 1990s wars. He denies any wrongdoing.

Thousands of supporters of Mr Seselj gathered near the United States embassy in Belgrade, waving Serbian flags.

Speakers condemned The Hague tribunal and the role of the United States.

Serbian nationalism

Supporters of Mr Seselj's Radical Party say the tribunal is biased against Serbia and takes its orders from the US.

His strong brand of Serbian nationalism still has appeal among many Serbs, says the BBC's correspondent in Belgrade, Nick Hawton.

"The Serbian Radicals' leader is not fighting in The Hague just for his rights," said Radical Party secretary Aleksander Vucic.

"He's not fighting just for his life. But he's fighting for all of us who are gathered here. Vojislav Seselj is fighting for Serbia!"

Mr Seselj went on hunger strike three weeks ago criticising The Hague for not permitting him to conduct his defence the way he wanted.

He boycotted the start of war crimes trial on Monday and lost the right to conduct his own defence.

He is currently leader of the Serbian Radicals - the biggest party in Serbia's parliament.

He is accused of forming a joint criminal enterprise with former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, which led to the extermination and deportation of non-Serbs from Bosnia and Croatia.


SEE ALSO
Serb suspect in prison hospital
30 Nov 06 |  Europe
Serb punished for trial no-show
27 Nov 06 |  Europe
Profile: Vojislav Seselj
27 Nov 06 |  Europe
At a glance: Hague tribunal
20 Feb 03 |  Europe

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