Former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic started his second day in Belgrade's central jail Monday as his lawyer sought to appeal the 30-day detention order on the ex-president.
Lawyer Toma Fila said he intended to appeal the order on Monday, although he conceded: "I think they will not revoke this decision."
Milosevic was questioned by a magistrate for the first time Sunday after finally giving himself up to police following an armed stand-off at his luxury villa.
The former president was quizzed by investigating magistrate Goran Cobrina about charges of corruption and abuse of power within hours of his surrender after a 26-hour police siege.
Milosevic told the magistrate he is not guilty of the charges of abuse of power and stealing public funds brought against him by Belgrade prosecutors, his lawyer said.
The West hailed his arrest but warned Belgrade they still expect it to hand Milosevic over to a UN court that wants to try him for war crimes.
Yugoslav authorities have said there were no plans to hand him over.
An initial attempt to storm his residence early Saturday failed when two special policemen were injured by gunfire from some of the estimated 50 heavily armed guards inside the residence, but despite vows he would never he taken alive, the president surrendered peacefully just before dawn Sunday.
The only shots to break Sunday's tense pre-dawn silence were fired by his daughter Marija, apparently in frustration as her father was whisked away in a convoy of unmarked jeeps and limousines.
A source close to the authorities said police had estimated that any attempt to storm the building would have resulted in a bloodbath, with at least 20 people likely to have been killed.
Milosevic's lawyer confirmed his client had been questioned by the magistrate, who is also investigating several allies being held in the same jail as the former leader.
Milosevic was ordered held for 30 days. Fila said the hearings would continue on Tuesday.
He said Milosevic "has a room with special conditions, with hot water, and the right of daily visits." He had been visited by his wife, Mira Markovic, and his daughter.
"He feels good. He is little bit exhausted and has high blood pressure," Fila said.
The sudden surrender came after a tense night of negotiations as a government team in his villa in the posh Dedinje suburb tried to talk with him, his wife and daughter by his side.
Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic said the prosecution had proposed Milosevic should remain in custody to ensure his presence during the investigation, as well as to thwart any possible attempt to influence witnesses.
But his Socialist Party called for his release, saying their leader was "not a man to flee his country."
The arrest came as an ultimatum issued by Washington tying a multi-million dollar aid package to Belgrade cooperating with The Hague-based ICTY expired.
(China Daily 04/02/2001)
