War crimes prosecutor leaves. Serbian prime suspects still at large

Carla Del Ponte, the UN Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague, has given her final media conference before stepping down. She said she regrets Bosnian Serb war crime suspects still at large.

During her eight years as Prosecutor Del Ponte was responsible for the international convictions of those found guilty of war crimes during the Balkan conflicts.

In 2001, she was responsible for the extradition and trial of former Yugoslavian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

She expressed pride at having brought the ‘decision makers’ to justice.

However, Del Ponte also showed her regret at never finding the Bosnian Serb leaders Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, saying it was a 'stain' on the tribunal's great achievements.  

Both are accused of genocide, but have so far evaded arrest.

She added she was confident her successor, Belgian prosecutor Serge Brammertz, would pursue Karadzic and Mladic.

In her leaving remarks she thanked her team of dedicated staff, as well as the former and current UN secretary generals.

Del Ponte will take up the position of Swiss Ambassador to Argentina next year.  

“I may yet come back to the world of international justice,” she concluded.