"Kovačević offered plea-bargain"

This really means that they were going to push for Kovacevic to be given 25 years.
That is a life sentance usually handed for murder in Europe.

No country in its right mind to extradite anyone to America, because of their lack of respect for human rights of prisoners. Serbia should not do that either.

Kovacevic should be dealt with in Serbia, not America.

> The U.S. prosecution has allegedly offered Miladin Kovačević a 12-year prison term if he pleads guilty.

If true, one has to wonder at the motives behind this - just what kind of 'bargain' is 12 years for GBH?

hmm.. play professional basketball in your home country.. or go to jail for 12 years in another.. thats a tough one

This is too much for me.
I'd almost forgotten what American justice is like. If Kovacevic is found guilty he should serve an appropriate sentence but 12 years seems like too much for me. And a sentence of 25 years for not even a murder is ridiculous. Think about the sentences meted out at the Hague and the contrast in sentencing is evident.

Perhaps in the Serbian legal system punishment is too lenient but the US system is much, much too harsh.

Serbia should insist upon a compromise involving the case being heard in a Serbian court and video links etc.

Dashnori i Ceces:
Believe you have the wrong thread, although a brief comment on what you've written is in order now that you've posted here.

> Ultimately, the Albanians will ignore US, EU, UN, ICJ or whatever.

Because ultimately you have no respect for the principles on which these organisations are based.

Which isn't really surprising given the way in which your 'pseudo-state' was formed & the people who were instrumental in that formation - the KLA - who themselves had their origins in terrorism & crime.

A 12 year plea-bargain isn't that bad in America. I suppose Europe and Serbia's legal punishments are just much more lenient? If they are offering 12 years then they prosecutor is likely shooting for 25 years. And honestly, from an American perspective 25 years seems about fair to me. The brutally of the crime warrants it in my opinion. This wasn't a simple barfight as I have seen Serbian media try to portray it. The victim has serious lifelong injuries that he'll carry for the rest of his life.

The American offer is serves several purposes:

1, It indicates that the U.S. Government takes very seriously these aggravated assault charges even if their access to the accused is not likely: Of late, America has tried to create an illusion of power over things that are beyond what they are actually able to influence. This may seem silly to Mr. Medvedev when they warn him about Georgia, but Mr. Kovacevic was probably not laughing when he heard of this plea bargain.

2, it opens the door for the accused to negotiate more suitable terms of surrender: The U.S. has something on the table, Mr. Kovacevic’s Serbian counsel may counter offer

3, Without participating in a trial against the accused in Serbia, U.S. prosecutors are hinting at penalties that Serbian courts may consider; this is a political interference that may be effective given the politics of Serbia.

"and having Belgrade to reassert control in Kosovo"

You can guess how that we'll go, and that's why no one will allow that to happen. Ultimately, the Albanians will ignore US, EU, UN, ICJ or whatever.

Serbs should stop this and start negotiations for reparations for the damage caused to K-Alb civilians. That is something to sit down and discuss

"and having Belgrade to reassert control in Kosovo"

You can guess how that we'll go, and that's why no one will allow that to happen. Ultimately, the Albanians will ignore US, EU, UN, ICJ or whatever.

Serbs should stop this and start negotiations for reparations for the damage caused to K-Alb civilians. That is something to sit down and discuss

> The U.S. prosecution has allegedly offered Miladin Kovačević a 12-year prison term if he pleads guilty.

If true, one has to wonder at the motives behind this - just what kind of 'bargain' is 12 years for GBH?

This really means that they were going to push for Kovacevic to be given 25 years.
That is a life sentance usually handed for murder in Europe.

No country in its right mind to extradite anyone to America, because of their lack of respect for human rights of prisoners. Serbia should not do that either.

Kovacevic should be dealt with in Serbia, not America.

This is too much for me.
I'd almost forgotten what American justice is like. If Kovacevic is found guilty he should serve an appropriate sentence but 12 years seems like too much for me. And a sentence of 25 years for not even a murder is ridiculous. Think about the sentences meted out at the Hague and the contrast in sentencing is evident.

Perhaps in the Serbian legal system punishment is too lenient but the US system is much, much too harsh.

Serbia should insist upon a compromise involving the case being heard in a Serbian court and video links etc.

hmm.. play professional basketball in your home country.. or go to jail for 12 years in another.. thats a tough one

The American offer is serves several purposes:

1, It indicates that the U.S. Government takes very seriously these aggravated assault charges even if their access to the accused is not likely: Of late, America has tried to create an illusion of power over things that are beyond what they are actually able to influence. This may seem silly to Mr. Medvedev when they warn him about Georgia, but Mr. Kovacevic was probably not laughing when he heard of this plea bargain.

2, it opens the door for the accused to negotiate more suitable terms of surrender: The U.S. has something on the table, Mr. Kovacevic’s Serbian counsel may counter offer

3, Without participating in a trial against the accused in Serbia, U.S. prosecutors are hinting at penalties that Serbian courts may consider; this is a political interference that may be effective given the politics of Serbia.

A 12 year plea-bargain isn't that bad in America. I suppose Europe and Serbia's legal punishments are just much more lenient? If they are offering 12 years then they prosecutor is likely shooting for 25 years. And honestly, from an American perspective 25 years seems about fair to me. The brutally of the crime warrants it in my opinion. This wasn't a simple barfight as I have seen Serbian media try to portray it. The victim has serious lifelong injuries that he'll carry for the rest of his life.

Dashnori i Ceces:
Believe you have the wrong thread, although a brief comment on what you've written is in order now that you've posted here.

> Ultimately, the Albanians will ignore US, EU, UN, ICJ or whatever.

Because ultimately you have no respect for the principles on which these organisations are based.

Which isn't really surprising given the way in which your 'pseudo-state' was formed & the people who were instrumental in that formation - the KLA - who themselves had their origins in terrorism & crime.