"I think that the expectations regarding the ruling of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina were unrealistic because the court ruled only on the procedural aspect of the case, not on its substance," Josipovic said.

"However, substantial obstacles do exist because Mr Purda, judging by available information, is not guilty," Josipovic said, recalling that Croatian investigative and prosecutorial bodies had investigated all circumstances of that case.

"Purda gave a statement in captivity under duress and that statement is now being misused," Josipovic said.

"I believe that when a political decision on the case is made in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this fact will be taken into account and that Purda will not be extradited."

Josipovic expressed confidence that Serbian prosecutors, who are to question Purda in custody in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, would do it in good faith and that they would establish that there was no reason to continue the proceedings against him.

"Politicising this case is not good, it is not good to raise tensions because it doesn't help Mr Purda in the least," said Josipovic.

The State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday ruled that Purda could be handed over to Serbian authorities which suspect him of alleged war crimes against prisoners of war and infirm persons in Vukovar in 1991.

His attorneys said they would appeal the ruling with the Appeals Chamber of the State Court.

Regardless of the decision of the Appeals Chamber, it is Bosnia's Justice Minister, Barisa Colak, who has a final say in the matter. He can either uphold the court's ruling or turn it down, which means that he will decide whether Purda will be handed over to Serbia or not.

Representatives of the Office of the State Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina will question Purda on Monday at the request of the Belgrade High War Crimes Court. Purda will be questioned as a suspect.