Mr Mihajlovic, a member of the reformist coalition that has taken power in Belgrade since Mr Milosevic was overthrown, said the police raid had been thwarted by the head of an army unit that guards Mr Milosevic's villa. He said the officer, told by police to reduce the size of Mr Milosevic's official bodyguard to just one, had given the keys to the compound to private guards loyal to Mr Milosevic. The comments followed a night of confusion during which, at one time, Serbia's deputy prime minister said Mr Milosevic had been detained and taken before a judge. Soon afterwards, Mr Milosevic was seen greeting a crowd of about 100 supporters outside his home. Some time later, police commandos in black jackets and balaclavas drove up to the compound at speed and clambered over gates.
Shots rang out and glass was smashed as they took up positions inside and outside.
Calm returned about 3am. That's why there are so many policemen, and that's why the operation is so slow. The Age Company Ltd 2001. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.