"BIA knew where Karadžić was"

Serbia's security agency BIA knew several months prior to his arrest where Radovan Karadzic was hiding, B92 has learned. BIA chief at the time, Rade Bulatovic, and former Premier Vojislav Kostunica have denied these reports, that suggest BIA knew of the Hague fugitive's location, but that his arrest took place only after the changes in the Serbian government and the agency's top ranks. "BIA knew where Karadzic was" These claims were also confirmed by a long-time BIA operative Zoran Stijovic, who testified for the prosecution in the Hague trials of Slobodan Milosevic and Ramush Haradinaj. If the reports are true, the issue of criminal responsibility of the former BIA and government chiefs will emerge, since Bulatovic and Kostunica, although obligated to do so by the Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, did not arrest and extradite Karadzic immediately. Bulatovic declined to comment on these B92 findings, but denied in a telephone conversation that the claims were true, and dubbed them speculation. According to the law, Bulatovic was to report all information, including on any progress in the search for the Hague fugitives to the government, i.e., the prime minister. Kostunica himself several days ago told the daily Politika in an interview that he had no knowledge of Karadzic's whereabouts. President of the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal Rasim Ljajic told B92 that Karadzic's arrest was not delayed, but that the moment when the risk was minimal was awaited. However, Stijovic claims that the former Bosnian Serb leader must have had logistical support from the service. He believes that this is corroborated by the fact original personal documents issued to his name were recovered when Karadzic was arrested. If found guilty, persons aiding the hiding of the Hague fugitives could face up to five years in prison. A group believed to have helped Ratko Mladic is currently undergoing trial in Belgrade. The new season of B92 TV's investigative program Insider, that starts Oct. 2, will look into with this and other issues concerning the secret services in Serbia.

"BIA knew where Karadžić was"

These claims were also confirmed by a long-time BIA operative Zoran Stijović, who testified for the prosecution in the Hague trials of Slobodan Milošević and Ramush Haradinaj.

If the reports are true, the issue of criminal responsibility of the former BIA and government chiefs will emerge, since Bulatović and Koštunica, although obligated to do so by the Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, did not arrest and extradite Karadžić immediately.

Bulatović declined to comment on these B92 findings, but denied in a telephone conversation that the claims were true, and dubbed them speculation.

According to the law, Bulatović was to report all information, including on any progress in the search for the Hague fugitives to the government, i.e., the prime minister.

Koštunica himself several days ago told the daily Politika in an interview that he had no knowledge of Karadžić's whereabouts.

President of the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal Rasim Ljajić told B92 that Karadžić's arrest was not delayed, but that the moment when the risk was minimal was awaited.

However, Stijović claims that the former Bosnian Serb leader must have had logistical support from the service.

He believes that this is corroborated by the fact original personal documents issued to his name were recovered when Karadžić was arrested.

If found guilty, persons aiding the hiding of the Hague fugitives could face up to five years in prison. A group believed to have helped Ratko Mladić is currently undergoing trial in Belgrade.

The new season of B92 TV's investigative program Insider, that starts Oct. 2, will look into with this and other issues concerning the secret services in Serbia.