Serbian prosecutors mediate in evidence collection
The Serbian Office of the Prosecutor for War Crimes has been mediating between Russia and EULEX in collecting evidence on organ trafficking and illegal transplants conducted in Kosovo, deputy war crimes prosecutor Bruno Vekaric said on Tuesday.
(kosovocompromisestuff) Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The conflict between Russia and EULEX in the investigation is not a new thing, since Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently criticized the work of EULEX, Vekaric told the press.
On the other hand, EULEX special prosecutor Jonathan Ratel has accused Russia of interfering with the most important international investigation in Europe regarding human organ trafficking in Kosovo.
"It boils down to a political issue, that Russia does not recognize Kosovo, Vekaric noted, adding that Russia was assisting the investigation through the Serbian authorities.
Serbia can use the intelligence gathered by Russia, he said, explaining that it referred to statements by several witnesses, Russian citizens, who had suffered damages at the hands of the Medicus hospital in Pristina, which is the focus of Ratel's investigation.
It is important for Serbia that the Medicus case is linked to the Yellow House in northern Albania, where, according to he information so far, organs were harvested from Serbs kidnapped in Kosovo, Vekaric explained.
The investigation concerning that case is led by U.S. diplomat John Clint Williamson, Vekaric stated, adding that the Serbian prosecutor's office was surprised the inquiry was moving in a good direction.
There is already mention of a trial outside Kosovo and that the case refers to events between 1998 and 2000, he pointed out, adding that Serbia would help solve those crimes.
On the other hand, EULEX special prosecutor Jonathan Ratel has accused Russia of interfering with the most important international investigation in Europe regarding human organ trafficking in Kosovo.
"It boils down to a political issue, that Russia does not recognize Kosovo, Vekaric noted, adding that Russia was assisting the investigation through the Serbian authorities.
Serbia can use the intelligence gathered by Russia, he said, explaining that it referred to statements by several witnesses, Russian citizens, who had suffered damages at the hands of the Medicus hospital in Pristina, which is the focus of Ratel's investigation.
It is important for Serbia that the Medicus case is linked to the Yellow House in northern Albania, where, according to he information so far, organs were harvested from Serbs kidnapped in Kosovo, Vekaric explained.
The investigation concerning that case is led by U.S. diplomat John Clint Williamson, Vekaric stated, adding that the Serbian prosecutor's office was surprised the inquiry was moving in a good direction.
There is already mention of a trial outside Kosovo and that the case refers to events between 1998 and 2000, he pointed out, adding that Serbia would help solve those crimes.
