Extradition from Australia to Croatia—Captain Dragan Denied Bail

Dragan Vasiljkovic, whose extradition case we have been following for the past few weeks will not be released from detention in Australia.^[1] According to his lawyer, Mr. Vasiljkovic presented a low risk of flight, and that he is “a man of impeccable character who [is] a ‘hero’ in the local Serbian community and ha[s] his mother, brother, sister, two of his children, three grandchildren and nieces and nephews living in Australia.”^[2] The court however, thought otherwise. Magistrate Judge Allan Moore said there were no special circumstances for bail: "I am not satisfied at this point in time that special circumstances exist and bail is refused."^[3]

Furthermore, according to his lawyer, Mr. Vasiljkovic is facing only non-serious crimes: "There is only one physical act of violence alleged against this man," said the lawyer. "In all that material it is said he kicked somebody else. The rest relates to alleged failure to control alleged subordinates (while he was a paramilitary commander in the Balkans)."^[4]

However, the lawyer also says that there is no extradition treaty between Australia and Croatia, which is, as we have pointed out, plainly false.

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[1] Balkans War Crimes Suspect Refused Bail, Sydney Morning Herald, Jan. 27, 2006.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.