02:33Serbia: Radical Party bans members from travelling abroad after Hague issues warrant
Serbian Radical Party (SRS) leader Vojislav Seselj issued an unofficial travel ban on several party members during a press conference in Belgrade on Thursday. The move comes after the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTFY) announced that an international arrest warrant has been issued for three of SRS members.
Seselj said "It is not an official ban but I made it clear to them that they must not travel anywhere because that way they risk being arrested and extradited to the Hague," before adding "Moreover, why would they travel at all? Why spend money when they have small MP salaries? Everything is expensive abroad. Trust me, I spent 12 years living abroad, everything was so expensive that it was unbearable. Let them stay in Serbia and work for Serbia like they've been working so far and this is where they are most useful."
Commenting on the possibility of non-extradition obstructing Serbia's negotiations with the EU, Seselj said "We would've been very happy if we were the cause for the cessation of negotiations. Also, if Serbia decided to extradite three of my associates, Serbia's own justice system would be destroyed, because the court in Serbia made a final decision that that there are no fulfilled condition for their arrest," concluded Seselj.
On Wednesday, the ICTFY issued an international arrest warrant for three members of Serbian Radical party - Vjerica Radeta, Petar Jojic and Jovo Ostojic. They are accused of allegedly disrespecting the court, obstructing the tribunal's work and influencing witnesses.
02:33Serbian Radical Party (SRS) leader Vojislav Seselj issued an unofficial travel ban on several party members during a press conference in Belgrade on Thursday. The move comes after the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTFY) announced that an international arrest warrant has been issued for three of SRS members.
Seselj said "It is not an official ban but I made it clear to them that they must not travel anywhere because that way they risk being arrested and extradited to the Hague," before adding "Moreover, why would they travel at all? Why spend money when they have small MP salaries? Everything is expensive abroad. Trust me, I spent 12 years living abroad, everything was so expensive that it was unbearable. Let them stay in Serbia and work for Serbia like they've been working so far and this is where they are most useful."
Commenting on the possibility of non-extradition obstructing Serbia's negotiations with the EU, Seselj said "We would've been very happy if we were the cause for the cessation of negotiations. Also, if Serbia decided to extradite three of my associates, Serbia's own justice system would be destroyed, because the court in Serbia made a final decision that that there are no fulfilled condition for their arrest," concluded Seselj.
On Wednesday, the ICTFY issued an international arrest warrant for three members of Serbian Radical party - Vjerica Radeta, Petar Jojic and Jovo Ostojic. They are accused of allegedly disrespecting the court, obstructing the tribunal's work and influencing witnesses.