The British Foreign Office Minister for Europe, Chris Bryant, has said that the arrest of Bosnian wartime presidency member Ejup Ganic in London earlier this week has nothing to do with the British government's policy, but should be regarded solely as a legal matter, according to a statement issued by the British Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"I cannot stress enough that the arrest of Dr Ganic in no way amounts to a diplomatic or political statement by the British Government, or any point of view by the British Government on past events in the Western Balkans," Bryant said.
"The judicial authorities, which are wholly independent of Government, are carrying out their independent legal functions in accordance with the law," he added.
He dismissed the objections raised by Bosniak political leaders regarding the arrest and detention of Ganic and his communication with his lawyer and family.
"We are continuing to look into further points relating to allegations about Dr Ganic's access to Embassy officials and lawyers. We are taking these very seriously and are working closely with the Bosnian authorities in this regard," Bryant said.
Ganic was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport on Monday based on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia. The High Court has ordered that he be detained until March 29.
Serbia says that Ganic and 17 other Bosnian wartime government officials are responsible for war crimes committed against Yugoslav soldiers at the beginning of the Bosnian war in 1992.
