"U.S. expects Kovačević back for trial"

U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter spoke to B92 on Wednesday about the case of a fugitive Serbian student. Miladin Kovacevic, who was studying stateside, was arrested on suspicion that he inflicted serious injutries to a fellow student in a barfight. "U.S. expects Kovacevic back for trial" But he jumped bail last month and returned to Serbia. Yesteday, Munter said that Washington expects the Serbian government "to fulfill the obligations that were undertaken by their representatives, by the consul and vice consul in New York when he signed the bail document committing to produce Kovacevic in court". Asked about the steps expected from Belgrade in view of the fact the law in Serbia prohibits extradition of Serbian nationals, the ambassador said that the optimal solution would be for Kovacevic "to go voluntarily, to seek legal help, and to defend himself in court", adding that this would be "the best for Serbia, for justice and for our bilateral relations'. "If the government stands by its commitment, and chooses to return him, that is something your government can do. Your government can choose to return him to America, based on its promise. We're exploring all legal options at this point." "At present we're asking the government to fulfill its obligations undertaken by their representative, when he signed the bail document in New York. Other options are on the table," Munter added. You can read the whole interview here

"U.S. expects Kovačević back for trial"

But he jumped bail last month and returned to Serbia.

Yesteday, Munter said that Washington expects the Serbian government "to fulfill the obligations that were undertaken by their representatives, by the consul and vice consul in New York when he signed the bail document committing to produce Kovačević in court".

Asked about the steps expected from Belgrade in view of the fact the law in Serbia prohibits extradition of Serbian nationals, the ambassador said that the optimal solution would be for Kovačević "to go voluntarily, to seek legal help, and to defend himself in court", adding that this would be "the best for Serbia, for justice and for our bilateral relations'.

"If the government stands by its commitment, and chooses to return him, that is something your government can do. Your government can choose to return him to America, based on its promise. We're exploring all legal options at this point."

"At present we're asking the government to fulfill its obligations undertaken by their representative, when he signed the bail document in New York. Other options are on the table," Munter added.

You can read the whole interview here