"The court didn't give the explanation we expected, it didn't go into matters it should have gone into but was satisfied with the fact that the extradition plea included the evidence that might have to be examined. However, the Croatian Justice Ministry delivered in time both to the court and the Serbian prosecutor's office evidence of hearings of witnesses that can talk about the circumstances of that incriminating act," Muselimovic said.

He added he deeply believed in Purda's innocence and that he could not be extradited to Serbia.

The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) said in a statement the Croatian government should irrevocably resign for moral reasons if Purda was extradited to Serbia, adding that, if he was transferred, it would be absolutely clear that the government had made a series of omissions in this case.

The HSLS said it was unacceptable that a man tortured in Serbian detention camps should be extradited, while "the organisers and executors" in those camps were not being prosecuted.

The Bosnian State Court found that all legal prerequisites have been met for Purda's extradition to Serbia, which suspects him of war crimes against prisoners of war and infirm people.

The court did not assess the evidence that Serbia enclosed with the extradition plea.

The ruling has been delivered to the parties in the proceedings, who may appeal within three days.

The Appeals Chamber consider appeals in such cases relatively quickly, court spokeswoman Selma Hadzic told Hina.

The ruling is delivered to the Bosnian Justice Ministry for final approval. Minister Barisa Colak can either uphold it or decide that Purda be handed over to Serbia or released.

Purda was arrested in the northern Bosnian town of Orasje on January 5 on an international warrant issued by Serbia. Since then he has been in prison in Zenica, central Bosnia.