U.S. witnesses in the Serbian trial of former Binghamton University student Miladin “Minja” Kovacevic have not taken the opportunity to testify, according to international officials.
The Belgrade court has invited American witnesses to come to Serbia to testify, or to give statements via a video link today. Court spokeswoman Nada Djordjevic said yesterday that there had been no response to the offer.
After refusing to extradite Kovacevic, 22, who is wanted in the United States for the alleged beating of fellow BU student Bryan Steinhauer, Serbian authorities arrested the fugitive in late October and began an investigation into the case. Authorities said the country’s laws ban extradition.
Reports from the New York Daily News last week stated that Steinhauer was one of several witnesses invited to testify.
Kovacevic, who is 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 260 pounds, was arrested on assault charges after a May 4 brawl at the Rathskeller Pub on State Street, during which he is accused of severely beating Steinhauer. The latter was 22, and was a senior who weighed about 130 pounds at the time.
Kovacevic fled the country in early June with an emergency passport, after posting $100,000 bail and spending four weeks in jail.
Since then U.S. officials, including Sens. Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, have urged Serbian authorities to extradite Kovacevic and threatened to cut foreign aid. In early October the U.S. government sent documents overseas, and Serbian officials took the ex-BU men’s basketball player into custody.
A judge initially sentenced Kovacevic to at least 30 days in jail so a formal investigation could be conducted. Since then the detention has been extended for at least another month.
Court spokeswoman Marina Klaric Zivkovic said last Thursday that the court fears that Kovacevic might try to flee the country if released.
Steinhauer’s parents spoke during a press conference in late July, and said that their son was slowly emerging from his coma.
According to reports from the Daily News, the Steinhauers released a statement last week acknowledging that “justice is taking its course,” but would not comment on Steinhauer’s condition.
“Our primary concern at this time continues to be with Bryan Steinhauer, his family and friends,” University spokeswoman Gail Glover said yesterday. “The dean of students continues to be in regular contact with the family.”
— Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.