Earlier Sunday, Yugoslav Politika radio reported that Milosevic rejected a personal appeal from President Vojislav Kostunica and declined to give himself up to the authorities.

Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Milosevic's supporters and special police forces gathered around Milosevic's house. The tension grew as gunshots were heard near Milosevic's house.

Serbian Interior Minister Dusan Mihajlovic said the arrest was not intended to hand Milosevic over to the UN tribunal, "but to hand him over to an investigative judge under domestic laws."

Criminal charges were filed against Milosevic on Friday, Mihajlovic said.

Police official Miodrag Vukovic said the original charges against Milosevic were abuse of power and corruption that cost the country close to US$100 million, and that Milosevic would face a maximum five-year prison term if convicted.

(Xinhua 04/01/2001)