London court postpones Ganić extradition decision

A hearing in London on Tuesday regarding Ejup Ganic's extradition to Serbia saw the court postpone the proceedings for one week. The decision came after Ganic's legal counsel requested more time to prepare. London court postpones Ganic extradition decision The British home secretary will make a final decision on the former Muslim member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina wartime presidency's fate. Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic was set to attend the hearing on Tuesday. According to his deputy Bruno Vekaric, the extradition prosecutor is known for extraditing former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, while the Bosnian team has hired one of the best known London legal firms to handle their case. Vekaric said that the extradition procedure could last for months. “A procedure exists that will be implemented by the court in London which deals with our demand, its procedural value and formality. On the other side, there is a possibility that Ganic’s defense will react through certain objections and acts against our demand. Some time also needs to be given for the defense and extradition prosecutor, who will in this case represent our side and respond to any possible objections of the defense,” he said. Vekaric added that there was a lot of political tension accompanying the case, but that the prosecution did not wish to address these issues or deal with them. “We are open at all times for dialog with our colleagues from Bosnia-Herzegovina. This is a case of a legal dispute of arguments, and the British court will make a decision that we will respect no matter which way it goes,” Vekaric said. Ganic was arrested at Heathrow Airport last month according to a warrant issued by the Serbian Interpol office that accuses him of ordering an attack on a Yugoslav National Army (JNA) retreating column in Sarajevo's Dobrovoljacka Street in May 1992, which resulted in death and injury of dozens of soldiers and officers. Ejup Ganic (Tanjug, file)

London court postpones Ganić extradition decision

The British home secretary will make a final decision on the former Muslim member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina wartime presidency's fate.

Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukčević was set to attend the hearing on Tuesday.

According to his deputy Bruno Vekarić, the extradition prosecutor is known for extraditing former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, while the Bosnian team has hired one of the best known London legal firms to handle their case.

Vekarić said that the extradition procedure could last for months.

“A procedure exists that will be implemented by the court in London which deals with our demand, its procedural value and formality. On the other side, there is a possibility that Ganić’s defense will react through certain objections and acts against our demand. Some time also needs to be given for the defense and extradition prosecutor, who will in this case represent our side and respond to any possible objections of the defense,” he said.

Vekarić added that there was a lot of political tension accompanying the case, but that the prosecution did not wish to address these issues or deal with them.

“We are open at all times for dialog with our colleagues from Bosnia-Herzegovina. This is a case of a legal dispute of arguments, and the British court will make a decision that we will respect no matter which way it goes,” Vekarić said.

Ganić was arrested at Heathrow Airport last month according to a warrant issued by the Serbian Interpol office that accuses him of ordering an attack on a Yugoslav National Army (JNA) retreating column in Sarajevo's Dobrovoljačka Street in May 1992, which resulted in death and injury of dozens of soldiers and officers.