Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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08BELGRADE700 | 2008-07-17 19:09:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Belgrade |
VZCZCXYZ0037 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBW #0700/01 1991909 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 171909Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0164 INFO RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0007 |
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000700 |
1. (SBU) During a second meeting with Embassy representatives, the lawyer for Miladin Kovacevic, the Serbian basketball player accused of brutally assaulting U.S. citizen Bryan Steinhauer, stated that he will advise his client not to return to the U.S. for trial. He requested that Kovacevic be tried in Serbia. We made it clear that voluntary return was the only solution under discussion, and that Kovacevic would be a fugitive for life if he did not return to the U.S. for trial. The Ambassador gave a television interview on July 16 to provide accurate information on the gravity of Bryan Steinhauer's condition and to underscore the Serbian government's obligation to ensure that Kovacevic stand trial in the U.S. News that Kovacevic had signed a contract to play professional basketball in Serbia was followed by reports that the Serbian Basketball Union would not recognize the contract while criminal proceedings were underway against him. End summary. Second Meeting with Lawyer -------------------------- 2. (SBU) Embassy Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) and Consular Chief met on July 14 for a second time with Veselin Cerovic, the lawyer for Miladin Kovacevic (reftel). During the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cerovic said that he would advise Kovacevic not to return to the U.S. He said that as a matter of lawyers' ethics he could not advise his client, who is "free in Serbia and protected by Serbian law," to return to the U.S. where he could be sentenced to 15 or 20 years in prison. Cerovic asked the RLA to convey a request to Washington that Kovacevic be tried in Serbia. 3. (SBU) The RLA told Cerovic that the meeting's only topic of discussion was voluntary return, reminding him that U.S. laws had been broken, U.S. courts deal with violations of U.S. law, and that all the evidence, witnesses, and the victim were in the U.S. Only Kovacevic was in Serbia, in violation of U.S. law. The RLA underscored the fact that Kovacevic will be a fugitive for the rest of his life if he chooses not to return voluntarily. 4. (SBU) The RLA explained the charges against Kovacevic, the possible sentences they carried, and the relevant aspects of the U.S. judicial system. He informed Cerovic that it had been confirmed that Kovacevic had access to a privately-hired lawyer within 48 hours of his arrest. He also said that he had passed Kovacevic's allegations of mistreatment to the appropriate authorities, who investigated and found them to be unsubstantiated. Cerovic promised to convey the information to the Kovacevic family. Ambassador's Interview -------------------------- 5. (U) In order to counter the vast amount of misinformation that Cerovic and others have given the Serbian media, the Ambassador gave an interview to B-92 television on July 16 in which he said that the U.S. expects Serbia to ensure the presence of Miladin Kovacevic at his trial in the U.S. "We request his return to the U.S. and expect that the Serbian government will fulfill the commitment made by their representative. This is very important not only because of the terrible injuries that Bryan Steinhauer suffered, but because a representative of the Serbian government helped Kovacevic to avoid justice. U.S. law has been violated here; therefore justice can best be served in the U.S. Kovacevic's voluntary return to the U.S. is in the best interest of Miladin and Serbia," said the Ambassador. 6. (U) In the interview, the Ambassador also emphasized the fact that Bryan Steinhauer is the only victim in this case and described the extent of his injuries. He stated that claims made by the family that Kovacevic was mistreated are unsubstantiated, and that if Kovacevic is innocent, as his family claims, he should make his case before the court. He stressed that the U.S. will continue to use all available legal means to seek Kovacevic's return, and has initiated an Interpol warrant that is valid in over 180 countries. 7. (SBU) Post notified Cerovic of the interview before it was aired. He expressed appreciation for the call and said he hoped to meet with U.S. representatives again in the future to keep the lines of communication open, as "one never knows what changes may occur in the future." Basketball Contract -------------------------- 8. (U) According to press reports, Miladin Kovacevic signed a contract with the local KK Vrbas basketball team on July 15. Team captain Bojan Markovic was quoted as saying the team is "on [Kovacevic's] side." There are unconfirmed press reports that the local government in Vrbas is seeking to fire Markovic for signing Kovacevic. Serbian radio on July 17 also quoted Dragan Kapicic, head of the Serbian Basketball Union, as saying that the contract would not be valid as long as there were criminal proceedings against Kovacevic. Comment -------------------------- 9. (SBU) Although Kovacevic's lawyer seemingly remains adamant that his client will not return to the United States, post will continue to press the case in the court of Serbian public opinion and with the Serbian government. In this sports-crazed culture, the stance of the basketball association is helpful. End comment. BRUSH |