Tests on Slobodan Milosevic's blood taken before he was found dead on Saturday showed traces of a medicine that negated the effect of drugs to reduce high blood pressure, it was reported this morning.
The report said the UN war crimes tribunal asked Groningen University toxicologist Donald Uges to conduct the tests at the end of last year to find out why Milosevic's blood pressure remained so high despite the drugs he was prescribed.
Mr Uges said tests he conducted two weeks ago on Mr Milosevic's blood showed traces of rifampicin -- a drug against leprosy and tuberculosis that would have made other medicines ineffective.
"I don't think he took his medicines for suicide - only for his trip to Moscow ... that is where his friends and family are. I think that was his last possibility to escape the Hague," Mr Uges said. "I am so sure there is no murder."
Last month, the tribunal rejected a request by Milosevic - branded the "Butcher of the Balkans" - to go to Moscow for specialist medical care. His widow, brother and son all live in Russia.
The former Serbian leader was found dead in his cell in The Hague on Saturday morning.
A preliminary autopsy report released last night showed the 64-year-old former Yugoslav president died of a heart attack but speculation continues over whether he might have killed himself in an attempt to thwart an impending verdict in his four-year-old trial.
The pathologists said Milosevic died of a "myocardial infarction" that could be explained by two heart conditions. A myocardial infarction is usually caused by a blockage in one of the coronary arteries that supplies blood to the heart.
Cardiologists had warned he was at risk of a life-threatening hypertensive emergency, when surges in blood pressure can damage the heart, kidneys and central nervous system.
A spokeswoman for the UN tribunal said it was too early to say whether the heart attack might have been caused by poisoning or whether suicide could be ruled out, noting that an inquiry ordered by court president Fausto Pocar was continuing. Full post mortem results, including toxicology tests for poisoning, will be released later today.
Milosevic faced a possible life sentence over charges on 66 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes involving conflicts in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo as Yugoslavia imploded in the 1990s.
His body will be released to his family today amid confusion over what caused his death. It also remains unclear where the funeral will take place - his widow lives with his son in Russia and both face arrest in Serbia.
Serbian President Boris Tadic ruled out a pardon for the two and said a state funeral for Mr Milosevic would be "completely inappropriate".
Milosevic's lawyer said the funeral was to be held in Belgrade and that Milosevic's son Marko would pick up the body today or tomorrow.
The autopsy on the body of Milosevic, who suffered from a heart condition and high blood pressure, was conducted by Dutch scientists and attended by Serbian pathologists. Serbia said the autopsy was very professional. The whole procedure was filmed.
Former Croatian Serb leader Milan Babic committed suicide at the detention center last week.
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2006/0313/breaking2.htm