Croatia demands Kadijević extradition

Croatia will ask Russia to hand over Veljko Kadijevic, former defense minister in the Yugoslav government. Croatian Justice Minister Ana Lovrin said the state prosecution instructed the Interior Ministry to run a check via Interpol to ascertain Kadijevic’s whereabouts, as he recently appeared in Moscow to promote his latest book. Croatia demands Kadijevic extradition According to her, Russia could decide in line with its legislation whether or not to extradite Kadijevic. “Complications might occur if he has already been granted Russian citizenship,” added Lovrin. After Kadijevic presented his book titled “Counterstrike – My View of the Disintegration of Yugoslavia”, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic announced that Croatia would request extradition. His statement prompted the prosecution to act. Kadijevic in his book accused Mesic of wanting to overthrow then Croatian President Franjo Tudjman in a military coup. There are three indictments issued against Kadijevic by the Croatian judiciary, the first in November 1992 in Bjelovar, the second in 2002 in Vukovar, while the latest was issued in May 2006 in Osijek. On March 21, 2007, the Croatian Interior Ministry issued a warrant for his arrest “for war crimes committed against civilians.” Two days later Interpol issued its own arrest warrant.

Croatia demands Kadijević extradition

According to her, Russia could decide in line with its legislation whether or not to extradite Kadijević.

“Complications might occur if he has already been granted Russian citizenship,” added Lovrin.

After Kadijević presented his book titled “Counterstrike – My View of the Disintegration of Yugoslavia”, Croatian President Stjepan Mesić announced that Croatia would request extradition. His statement prompted the prosecution to act.

Kadijević in his book accused Mesić of wanting to overthrow then Croatian President Franjo Tuđman in a military coup.

There are three indictments issued against Kadijević by the Croatian judiciary, the first in November 1992 in Bjelovar, the second in 2002 in Vukovar, while the latest was issued in May 2006 in Osijek.

On March 21, 2007, the Croatian Interior Ministry issued a warrant for his arrest “for war crimes committed against civilians.” Two days later Interpol issued its own arrest warrant.