A Kosovar farmer giving evidence against Mr Slobodan Milosevic has left before the former Yugoslav president could finish his cross-examination.
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Former Yugoslav president Mr Slobodan Milosevic
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Mr Milosevic was clearly irritated by the early dismissal due to illness, raising his hand in frustration as the witness left the courtroom.
British judge Mr Richard May said it was "pointless" to question someone feeling unwell and that the circumstances of the testimony would be taken into account.
Mr Agim Zeqir (49) had told the UN court in The Hague that Serb police and soldiers killed nearly his entire family, including his 18-month-old baby. He was later caught and beaten but managed to flee to Albania.
Although he survived, he was beaten so badly he was given dialysis treatment for a damaged kidney in a Dutch hospital.
Judge May asked the witness if he was well enough to continue for 10 minutes. "No I'm not well at all," he said, his back turned to Mr Milosevic. "I have my own problems, my own worries to deal with".
Mr Milosevic attempted to question Mr Zeqiri, but the witness said he could not answer: "I'm not sure, I'm in dialysis at the moment." Mr Milosevic objected after Mr Zeqiri left, calling it "impermissible" to allow a "witness removed who told lies".
Mr Milosevic, the first former head of state to be charged with war crimes while in office, is accused of crimes against humanity in Kosovo and Croatia, and of genocide in Bosnia during the 1991-1999 Balkan wars. He faces life imprisonment if convicted on any one of 66 counts.
PA