Fugitive student Kovačević arrested

Miladin Kovacevic, the Serbian sought by the U.S. authorities for assaulting a fellow student, has been arrested in Belgrade, B92 understands. Kovacevic was taken into custody this morning on the orders of the prosecution. Fugitive student Kovacevic arrested B92 understands that the U.S. authorities have referred the case to the domestic judiciary. According to unconfirmed reports, Consul Slobodan Nenadovic has also been taken into custody. The case became public knowledge in July this year, when first U.S, then later Serbian, media reported that the student, accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on classmate Bryan Steinhauer, had fled the U.S. with the help of the Serbian consul in New York. The case threatened to mushroom into a diplomatic scandal. Kovacevic was charged by the U.S. authorities with attacking and seriously injuring Steinhauer on the night of May 4/5 in a university bar in New York state. Having spent a month in custody in the U.S., he was released on bail of EUR 100,000, paid for by his parents via the consulate’s account. Three days later, however, the student fled the U.S. on documents illegally issued by the Serbian consulate. When news of this reached the media, both the consul and vice-consul were suspended. Since then, Kovacevic have been adamant that their son will not return to the U.S. to stand trial, and that any case will have to be heard in front of the Serbian courts. They claimed that Miladin had fled the U.S. because his life had been in danger. An international Interpol warrant was issued for Kovacevic’s arrest in July. The extent of the scandal is borne out by the fact that the U.S. considered suspending aid to Serbia over the debacle, with U.S. officials insisting that he return to New York to stand trial. “We are seeking his return to the U.S. This is very important not only because of the terrible injuries suffered by Bryan Steinhauer, but because a representative of the Serbian authorities helped Kovacevic to escape justice. American law has been broken here, and we’re calling on the Kovacevic family to understand that voluntary return to the U.S. is in the best interests of both himself and Serbia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade Cameron Munter. The case first came before the domestic courts in early September after legal proceedings were launched against Vice-Consul Igor Milosevic for issuing the travel documents that Kovacevic used to leave the U.S. Milosevic has, in the meantime, been dismissed by the Foreign Ministry. Kovacevic and his parents testified in that investigation, claiming that Milosevic had not broken the law. For a long time, the whole case was deadlocked. The U.S. authorities insisted that the student should be extradited, while Serbia reiterated that extradition was impossible under domestic law. Finally, the U.S. Department of Justice sent the documentation on the case to Serbia via international legal aid. 20 days ago, they were forwarded to the prosecution which decided on what further course of action to take. The victim, Bryan Steinhauer (B92)

Fugitive student Kovačević arrested

B92 understands that the U.S. authorities have referred the case to the domestic judiciary. According to unconfirmed reports, Consul Slobodan Nenadović has also been taken into custody.

The case became public knowledge in July this year, when first U.S, then later Serbian, media reported that the student, accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on classmate Bryan Steinhauer, had fled the U.S. with the help of the Serbian consul in New York. The case threatened to mushroom into a diplomatic scandal.

Kovačević was charged by the U.S. authorities with attacking and seriously injuring Steinhauer on the night of May 4/5 in a university bar in New York state.

Having spent a month in custody in the U.S., he was released on bail of EUR 100,000, paid for by his parents via the consulate’s account.

Three days later, however, the student fled the U.S. on documents illegally issued by the Serbian consulate. When news of this reached the media, both the consul and vice-consul were suspended.

Since then, Kovačević have been adamant that their son will not return to the U.S. to stand trial, and that any case will have to be heard in front of the Serbian courts. They claimed that Miladin had fled the U.S. because his life had been in danger.

An international Interpol warrant was issued for Kovačević’s arrest in July. The extent of the scandal is borne out by the fact that the U.S. considered suspending aid to Serbia over the debacle, with U.S. officials insisting that he return to New York to stand trial.

“We are seeking his return to the U.S. This is very important not only because of the terrible injuries suffered by Bryan Steinhauer, but because a representative of the Serbian authorities helped Kovačević to escape justice. American law has been broken here, and we’re calling on the Kovačević family to understand that voluntary return to the U.S. is in the best interests of both himself and Serbia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade Cameron Munter.

The case first came before the domestic courts in early September after legal proceedings were launched against Vice-Consul Igor Milošević for issuing the travel documents that Kovačević used to leave the U.S.

Milošević has, in the meantime, been dismissed by the Foreign Ministry. Kovačević and his parents testified in that investigation, claiming that Milošević had not broken the law.

For a long time, the whole case was deadlocked. The U.S. authorities insisted that the student should be extradited, while Serbia reiterated that extradition was impossible under domestic law.

Finally, the U.S. Department of Justice sent the documentation on the case to Serbia via international legal aid. 20 days ago, they were forwarded to the prosecution which decided on what further course of action to take.