Former Serbian diplomats receive suspended sentences for abuse of office

A court in Belgrade sentenced the former Serbian consul general in New York, Slobodan N., and consul, Igor M., to a suspended sentence of one year on charges of abuse of office, after they helped a Serbian studying in the U.S. to escape from America in June 2008, Serbian news wire Tanjug reported, June 12.

“The sentence will be enforced only if they engage in criminal activities in the course of the next four years,” judge Vladimir Miletic told Tanjug.

Slobodan N. and Igor M. helped Miladin Kovacevic escape from America after posting bail on a GBH charge in June 2008.

Former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Senator Chuck Schumer insisted that Serbia extradite Kovacevic to America after he pleaded guilty to physically assaulting a U.S. student after a bar room brawl.

The Serbian Foreign Ministry recalled the two consular officials in 2008, after the American authorities accused them of providing Kovacevic with emergency travel documents that helped him flee the country.

Kovacevic subsequently stood trial in Serbia and was sentenced to two years in prison. He was released in November 2012 after being granted amnesty.

The case caused a stir in the US and prompted New York Senator Chuck Schumer to call on U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, to take action on the matter.

Kovacevic is currently on Interpol’s wanted list. The U.S. authorities have said that they will try to extradite or arrest him whenever the possibility arises.