Montenegro demands Marovic extradition again

AFP/Dimitar Dilkoff

Montenegro’s Justice Ministry renewed its demand for the extradition of former high-ranking state official Svetozar Marovic from Serbia.

The Montenegrin state TV (RTCG) quoted a ministry statement which recalled that the demand had been made several times “which is surprising since international cooperation in criminal cases with Serbia has always been timely and efficient”.

Marovic, a former high-ranking official of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and a former FRY state president, was indicted in Montenegro for corruption and embezzlement in his home town of Budva. He fled to Serbia where he has been for several years. Marovic was placed on a list of people under sanctions by the US Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) along with six others from the Western Balkans alleged to have been involved in corruption and crime.

The Montenegrin Justice Ministry said that it believes that the case will be reviewed and Marovic extradited in line with international law.