Berisha is not 'alone'/ USA sanctions two former MPs involved in corruption

The United States said on Friday that it has sanctioned former members of the Serbian Parliament, Verica Radeta and Petar Jojic, for their involvement in corruption.

In an announcement from the  US Department of State, it is stated that "while serving in the Serbian Parliament, Verisa Radeta and Petar Jojic bribed and intimidated witnesses who had to appear before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in order to convince them them to refrain from providing incriminating evidence against the leader of the Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav Sesel, who was later convicted of war crimes.

"Their actions interfered with judicial proceedings, causing the Hague Court to issue international arrest warrants for contempt, threatening regional stability and adversely affecting the national interests of the United States," the statement said.

The State Department said the sanctions reaffirm the United States' commitment to fighting corruption, which harms the public interest, hinders the economic progress of partners and diminishes the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their citizens.

"The United States continues to stand with all Serbs in support of democracy and the rule of law and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain," the announcement states, emphasizing that the sanctions have been imposed. and Gojko Jojic, son of Petar Jojic.

The Hague Tribunal for War Crimes in the former Yugoslavia issued an arrest warrant for former MPs Radeta and Jojic in January 2015. But the War Crimes Chamber of the High Court in Belgrade ruled that there is no legal basis for their extradition, because as it was said, the Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal foresees the obligation to extradite those accused of war crimes and not those accused of contempt of court.

The court then issued an international arrest warrant as Serbia repeatedly refused to comply with its warrant. The Court even reported several times to the United Nations Security Council about Serbia's non-cooperation.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declared in April 2021 that Serbia will not extradite the officials of the Serbian Radical Party, of which he was once a part.