FM steps into fugitive Serb student affair

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic says that Serbia’s vice-consul to the U.S., Igor Milosevic, abused his position. Jeremic said that the ministry’s preliminary investigation had shown that the vice-consul to the U.S. had violated regulations and had exceeded his authorities. FM steps into fugitive Serb student affair The Foreign Ministry has launched disciplinary proceedings against Milosevic who is suspected of aiding and abetting the escape of Miladin Kovacevic (20) from the United States. Kovacevic is the former Binghamton University basketball player charged by the New York Court with causing grievous bodily harm to fellow student Bryan Steinhauer. Jeremic told B92 that the investigation was not over yet, but added that the case had further strained relations between the U.S. and Serbia, which had already been difficult enough following the U.S.’s recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral independence. “The case has drastically undermined Serbia’s reputation not only in the U.S., but all over the world”, the minister said. He added that Kovacevic would not be extradited to the U.S. because he was protected by the Serbian constitution and law, but that he would be tried in Serbia if the U.S. so requested. Jeremic said that Kovacevic was due to appear in court in the U.S. on August 3, and that such a request could only come after that date. Kovacevic was released on bail on June 6, and his passport was confiscated by the court. He left the United States on June 10 using, it is suspected, travel documents provided to him by Milosevic that are issued only in cases of lost or stolen passports. After his escape, Interpol issued a red warrant against Kovacevic, who last week signed a contract with Vrbas Basketball Club.

FM steps into fugitive Serb student affair

The Foreign Ministry has launched disciplinary proceedings against Milošević who is suspected of aiding and abetting the escape of Miladin Kovačević (20) from the United States. Kovačević is the former Binghamton University basketball player charged by the New York Court with causing grievous bodily harm to fellow student Bryan Steinhauer.

Jeremić told B92 that the investigation was not over yet, but added that the case had further strained relations between the U.S. and Serbia, which had already been difficult enough following the U.S.’s recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral independence.

“The case has drastically undermined Serbia’s reputation not only in the U.S., but all over the world”, the minister said.

He added that Kovačević would not be extradited to the U.S. because he was protected by the Serbian constitution and law, but that he would be tried in Serbia if the U.S. so requested.

Jeremić said that Kovačević was due to appear in court in the U.S. on August 3, and that such a request could only come after that date.

Kovačević was released on bail on June 6, and his passport was confiscated by the court. He left the United States on June 10 using, it is suspected, travel documents provided to him by Milošević that are issued only in cases of lost or stolen passports.

After his escape, Interpol issued a red warrant against Kovačević, who last week signed a contract with Vrbas Basketball Club.