July 1, 2008
Embassy of the United States of America
Belgrade

Statement by Ambassador Cameron Munter on Kovacevic Case

The case of Miladin Kovacevic, who is reported to have brutally beaten a fellow student half his size even after he was unconscious, and then fled the United States while awaiting trial, is shocking. We are appalled at the behavior of the Serbian Consulate, which inappropriately issued an emergency travel document to Kovacevic after he was ordered to relinquish his passport and remain in the U.S. by the presiding judge. I am personally outraged by this tragedy, and by the suffering caused to Bryan Steinhauer and his family.

This case is a top priority for the U.S. government. We expect that the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will appropriately discipline Vice Consul Igor Milosevic, and investigate the role of other Serbian government officials, in an expeditious manner. I met formally today with senior most officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally request that Kovacevic return to the United States to face justice. Serbian officials have assured us they are prepared to cooperate and we are currently exploring all possible options.

Ambassador Cameron Munter

1. jul, 2008
Ambasada Sjedinjenih Američkih Država
Beograd

Izjava ambasadora Kamerona Mantera povodom slucaja Kovacevic

Šokirani smo vestima o slučaju Miladina Kovačevića za koga se tvrdi da je brutalno tukao fizički slabijeg kolegu studenta, čak i kada je ovaj bio besvesnom stanju, a nakon toga, ne sačekavši suđenje, pobegao iz Sjedinjenih Država. Ogorčeni smo ponašanjem Konzulata Srbije koji je reagovao na neprimeren način izdavanjem privremenog putnog dokumenta Kovačeviću, nakon što mu je sudija naredio da preda pasoš i ne napušta teritoriju SAD. Ja sam lično ogorčen zbog ove tragedije i patnji kroz koje prolazi Brajan Štajnhauer i njegova porodica.

Za vladu Sjedinjenih Država ovaj slučaj ima vrhunski prioritet. Očekujemo da će Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Srbije u najkraćem mogućem roku i na odgovarajući način sankcinisati ponašanje vicekonzula Igora Miloševića i ispitati odgovornost drugih vladinih službenika. Danas sam se službeno sastao sa najodgovornijim zvaničnicima Ministarstva spoljnih poslova Srbije i zvanično zatražio povratak Kovačevića u Sjedinjene Države kako bi se suočio sa optužnicom. Srpski zvaničnici su izrazili spremnost na saradnju i razmatramo sve moguće opcije za rešenje trenutne situacije.

Ambasador Kameron Manter

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