An alleged Serbian war criminal, who is believed to have tortured and opened fire on civilians in Croatia in 1991, was arrested in Sutton earlier this month.

Milan Spanovic, 43, of Stoneleigh Road, Carshalton was served with a provisional extradition warrant on Tuesday, June 13, and appeared at Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 14. A second hearing was held on June 21.

It is alleged Spanovic and accomplices looted homes and set fire to public and religious buildings in Maja, Croatia, in August 1991.

He is also alleged to have tortured civilians and opened fire on them.

It is believed he was also a member of a Serbian armed group.

Spanovic's next hearing will be via video link at Horseferry Magistrates' Court in London on July 19.

He was convicted in Croatia in his absence and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment.