U.S. Gives Serbia 10 Days To Surrender Man Wanted In Brooklyn Assault
July 24, 2008
U.S. officials have given Serbia a deadline to turn over a young man accused of brutally beating a Brooklyn college student.
Senator Charles Schumer's office says U.S. officials in Belgrade have told the Serbian government to turn over Miladin Kovacevic within the next 10 days.
The 21-year-old Binghamton University basketball player allegedly beat Brooklyn native Bryan Steinhauer into a coma during a May bar fight. He was released into the custody of a Serbian government official who paid the $100,000 bond and allegedly provided a passport, and fled the U.S. soon after.
Steinhauer remains hospitalized, but his parents say he is slowly coming out of his coma and that he is recognizing friends and family. He cannot eat, speak or walk yet, and remains in a wheelchair. Steinhaeur's parents say their son once wanted to be an accountant, and that they will not rest until Kovacevic is in U.S. custody.
"As for Serbia's failure to return Kovacevic to the United States, we're confident that if the true facts were known, that the people of Serbia would be in favor of his return," said Steinhauer's father, Richard. "We believe truth and justice will ultimately prevail in this case."
"He's living his life and my son is lying in a hospital bed," said Steinhauer's mother, Marlene. "It's very difficult to see my son and the quality of his life being cut short."
U.S. officials, including Senators Schumer and Hillary Clinton, want Kovacevic to return to the States to face criminal charges, but so far Serbia has refused to allow an extradition, saying the country's law does not allow it.
"We do understand that there is some proposal, as grotesque and absurd as it is, that the Serbs be given the files of the district attorney in Broome County and try Kovacevic in Serbia," said Irwin Rockman, the Steinhauers' attorney.
Rockman said he does not know what consequences the Serbs face is Kovacevic is not returned to the U.S. by August 1.
If tried in this country, Kovacevic could face 5 to 20 years in prison.
July 24, 2008
U.S. Gives Serbia 10 Days To Surrender Man Wanted In Brooklyn Assault
Jeanine Ramirez
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