AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The trial of Slobodan Milosevic entered its fifth and likely final year yesterday in proceedings that have been repeatedly delayed by the ill health of the former Yugoslavian president.

Milosevic’s heart condition and high blood pressure have hampered his trial on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes which started on February 12, 2002.

The UN tribunal in The Hague is expected to rule soon on a request by Milosevic for provisional release from detention in The Hague for specialist heart treatment in Russia.

Prosecutors suspect Milosevic’s wife and son live in Moscow and oppose his release despite Russia’s promise to return him, fearing he could say his health stops him from traveling back.

Yesterday, the prosecution cross-examined defense witness Branko Kostic, a member of Yugoslavia’s collective presidency.

Milosevic has used up about four-fifths of the 150 days allotted for his defense, suggesting the case could be wrapped up in the next few months barring any new delays, although the former Serb strongman is almost certain to demand more time.

Lawyers helping Milosevic with his defense have requested the court to recall retired US general Wesley Clark to testify about the NATO bombing campaign against Serb forces in Kosovo in 1999 that he directed, documents released yesterday showed.

After both sides have summed up, judges would probably need several months to deliberate before reaching a verdict. The maximum sentence the tribunal can impose is life imprisonment.