Stockholm  - The Swedish government Thursday said former Bosnian Serb president Biljana Plavsic, who is serving an 11-year jail term for crimes against humanity, was to be released in the coming days.

A justice ministry statement said her release was due October 27.

The former Bosnian Serb leader was convicted in 2003 by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for crimes committed during the 1992-95 Bosnian war.

Plavsic, 80, served the sentence at Hinseberg prison, 200 kilometres west of Stockholm.

Since Plavsic has served two-thirds of the sentence she was eligible for release in accordance with Swedish law.

Sweden recently notified the court of Plavsic's possible release, and the Hague-based tribunal did not oppose the move.

Sweden in 1999 signed an agreement with the UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to offer space for convicted war criminals.

Plavsic has on two earlier occasions applied for pardon. Her most recent appeal, citing health reasons, was rejected in December. (dpa)