Serb Court Voids Treason Conviction Of WWII General

To the cheers of supporters, a Serbian court on Thursday voided the treason conviction of Gen. Draza Mihailovic for his collaboration with Nazis during World War II, politically rehabilitating the controversial Serbian guerrilla commander almost 70 years after he was sentenced and shot to death by communists.

For decades, Mihailovic's fate has fueled divisions in Serbia, where many see him as a political martyr.

The Higher Court of Belgrade said Thursday the verdict from July 1946 is now "null and void" - a ruling met with a thunderous applause by dozens of Mihailovic's supporters who filled the courtroom. Dozens more flag-waving nationalists and leftist opponents of Mihailovic gathered outside the court and were kept apart by riot police.