Serbian police shot and killed Zemun clan leaders Dusan "Siptar" Spasojevic and Mile "Kum" Lukovic as they resisted arrest late last night.

The two leaders of the clan, accused of being behind the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, opened fire at police from M70 assault rifles, compelling police to use armed force. The two were also carrying hand grenades.

The Serbian Interior Ministry said that there were no casualties among members of the special antiterrorist police units.

Earlier yesterday, police located part of the clan in the Belgrade municipality of Barajevo where they had been hiding for the last several days. Zemun clan ringleader Milorad "Legija" Lukovic remains at large.

Also yesterday, police arrested Belgrade Municipal Court judge Zivota Djoincevic on charges he took bribes in exchange for releasing suspects from custody, illegally reduced sentences, and had close connections with the Zemun clan. Police searched Djoincevic's apartment, seizing large quantities of weapons and ammunition.

(NewsBase 28.iii.03)