American officials have said investigative judges are almost ready to hand formal charges to the tribunal, in a process called referral.

The four men are to appear before an investigative judge in Zagreb.

"Our goal is to have everyone appear before an investigative judge within six months of detention."

The Tribunal follows the inquisitorial system which is standard in Iraq and uses investigative judges.

The judge in question is rarely a court but in practice the investigative judge (rechter-commissaris).

For most cases again the investigative judge has the competent authority.

He will get a medical check-up and have a hearing with an investigative judge who will read the indictment against him.

The investigative judge is required to evaluate such detention periodically.

Nigeren law is based upon the French legal system in which investigative judges develop and bring to trial criminal cases which they judge.

It allowed the police to carry out searches and arrest persons without being mandated by an investigative judge.