Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic and Croatian Minister of Justice Ivan Simonovic signed an extradition agreement between their countries in Belgrade , which refers to the extradition of persons suspected and found guilty of acts of organised crime and corruption.

Following the signing, Malovic explained that every person who commits an act of organised crime or corruption in Serbia or Croatia will be extradited to the country where the act was committed, regardless of their nationality.

She noted that this agreement will help Serbia fulfil two of its political goals, ie EU integration and the intensified struggle against organised crime and corruption.

The agreement is enforceable at the moment of it being signed and it now remains to be ratified by the Serbian and Croatian parliaments, she added.

Simonovic observed that the agreement is of historical importance since it demonstrates their countries’ determination to combat organised crime and corruption, adding that regional organised crime is the most harmful form of crime for both states.

The Croatian Minister underlined that the agreement is also important for regional relations and EU membership, adding that it strengthens the confidence between countries.

The agreement will send a clear message to criminals in Serbia and Croatia that they will no longer be able to hide behind their nationality and that if they commit a criminal act in either of the two states, they will be arrested and extradited, Simonovic declared.

He said he expects that courts will soon start responding to extradition requests, adding that Croatia has issued 53 warrants of which 12 refer to persons suspected of having committed acts of corruption.

Malovic and Simonovic voiced their hope that similar agreements will be signed with other countries in the region, provided their constitutions allow for that.

Simonovic announced that Sretko Kalinic, a member of the Zemun Clan, could be extradited to Serbia next month if he does not oppose the extradition, but if he does, this procedure could take up to four months.

He confirmed that Kalinic, who has been sentenced to 40 years in prison in Serbia, is in custody in Zagreb on other grounds, ie for counterfeiting documents.

The District Court in Zagreb will decide about the extradition request of Serbia bearing in mind the mutual agreement on extradition of suspects and convicts, which came into force today.