Organ trafficking probe in several countries
Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic has said that investigations into human organ trafficking is being led in several countries, adding that he is confident that if the requirements are met, ICTY chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz will make a review of the case of Croat General Ante Gotovina.
(kosovocompromisestuff) Wednesday, February 13, 2013
"The investigations are being led in several countries. And the one led by EU special prosecutor (John Clint) Williamson has gained in quality and is taking on a new dimension. Cooperation with EULEX teams in the 'Medicus' and 'Organ trafficking' cases is very good," Vukcevic said for Belgrade-based Vecernje Novosti on Tuesday.
Vukcevic said he could not speak further about the ongoing case, but added that cooperation was also very good with Jonathan Ratel, EULEX prosecutor from Canada and other major participants in the proceedings concerning illegal organ transplants in the Pristina-based Medicus clinic.
"We are currently working to establish contact between Russia and EULEX, in line with the regulations that can be applied to this kind of political situation, in the interest of justice for the Russian, Ukrainian, Albanian and Serb victims," said Vukcevic.
He said that the meeting with Williamson was the most effective so far.
"I have trust in his prosecutorial instincts as he is very professional, and we will always be open to cooperation. Firstly, the events and crimes between 1998 and 2000 are being dealt with. I believe that after this meeting, the suspects will be tried before an international court outside Kosovo-Metohija, which is very important. It would be good for this to take place under the auspices of the UN," Vukcevic said.
Asked if during his constant contact with Brammertz the two of them spoke about a possible review of the Gotovina case, Vukcevic said that Brammertz did not want to talk about that, but it is obvious that he was caught unawares by the judgment rendered in the case.
"I am sure that, if the requirements for a review are met, Brammertz will go into it." The 'artillery logs' are crucial to the review of the process and also an opportunity for Brammertz to make up for his debacle, at least partially," concluded Vukcevic.
he Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague acquitted Croat generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac in November 2012. The two men were previously sentenced to 24 and to 18 years in prison for crimes against Serbs during and after the 1995 Croat military and police Operation Storm.
Vukcevic said he could not speak further about the ongoing case, but added that cooperation was also very good with Jonathan Ratel, EULEX prosecutor from Canada and other major participants in the proceedings concerning illegal organ transplants in the Pristina-based Medicus clinic.
"We are currently working to establish contact between Russia and EULEX, in line with the regulations that can be applied to this kind of political situation, in the interest of justice for the Russian, Ukrainian, Albanian and Serb victims," said Vukcevic.
He said that the meeting with Williamson was the most effective so far.
"I have trust in his prosecutorial instincts as he is very professional, and we will always be open to cooperation. Firstly, the events and crimes between 1998 and 2000 are being dealt with. I believe that after this meeting, the suspects will be tried before an international court outside Kosovo-Metohija, which is very important. It would be good for this to take place under the auspices of the UN," Vukcevic said.
Asked if during his constant contact with Brammertz the two of them spoke about a possible review of the Gotovina case, Vukcevic said that Brammertz did not want to talk about that, but it is obvious that he was caught unawares by the judgment rendered in the case.
"I am sure that, if the requirements for a review are met, Brammertz will go into it." The 'artillery logs' are crucial to the review of the process and also an opportunity for Brammertz to make up for his debacle, at least partially," concluded Vukcevic.
he Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague acquitted Croat generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac in November 2012. The two men were previously sentenced to 24 and to 18 years in prison for crimes against Serbs during and after the 1995 Croat military and police Operation Storm.
