Serbia tries man in US embassy fire
Associated Press | Nov 4, 09 7:41 AM CST
A trial has begun in Serbia of the only suspect in last year's burning of the U.S. embassy during riots against Kosovo's independence.
Economy student Milan Zivanovic faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted for "causing grave threat to public security and theft."
Zivanovic has admitted breaking into the embassy during the Feb. 2008 riots. But he has denied setting fire to the compound in downtown Belgrade.
Hundreds of nationalist rioters stormed the embassy to vent their anger over Washington's support for the statehood of Kosovo, which had declared independence from Serbia. One rioter died in the attack.
Zivanovic told the judges Wednesday that he was drunk and "overwhelmed with patriotism" during the riots.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
