Serbia's War Crimes Prosecutor's Office confirmed to Tanjug that the extradition procedure for Ratko Mladic is under way.

Deputy War Crimes Prosecutor Bruno Vekaric could not reveal any details or say what stage the process is in.

According to the usual procedure, Mladic, who was arrested early Thursday morning, should be brought before an investigative judge at the war crimes department, who will decide if all conditions have been met for his extradition to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

The hearing should take place at the Special Court in Belgrade, where Mladic's identity can be confirmed.

In line with the law on cooperation with the ICTY, Mladic and his defense team will have three days to appeal the judge's extradition ruling.

Once the ruling is final, Mladic can be extradited to the ICTY, where he will be tried for war crimes committed during the civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.