U.S. & World

US Seeks Extradition Of Serb Student In NY Beating

BELGRADE, Serbia (CBS) ― U.S. officials are formally demanding the arrest and extradition of a former Binghamton University basketball player accused of beating a classmate from Brooklyn into a coma.

Ambassador Cameron Munter met with Serbian officials Tuesday, who assured him they are prepared to cooperate in the hunt for Miladin Kovacevic, the former student –athlete who allegedly had a violent confrontation with Bryan Steinhauer nearly two months ago at a bar just off campus.

"Help bring the man who assaulted Bryan back to the United States to face American justice," said Richard Steinhauer, the victim's father.

The 6-foot-9, 260 pound basketball player is accused of pounding Bryan, who stands just 5-foot-6, 135 pounds, unconscious.

"We are devastated at the brutality and savagery of the beating that our son Bryan was the victim of," Richard Steinhauer said.

Police say the fight was sparked by Steinhauer coming too close to the girlfriend of one of Kovacevic's friends.

Kovacevic, a native Serbian, managed to flee the country with an emergency passport allegedly provided by the Serbian consulate.

"This case is a top priority for the U.S. government," Munter said in a statement.

"I met formally today with senior most officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally request that Kovacevic return to the United States to face justice," Munter said. "Serbian officials have assured us they are prepared to cooperate and we are currently exploring all possible options."

Sen. Charles Schumer, a longtime friend of the Steinhauer family, has been working to bring Kovacevic to justice.

"Now the Serbian government has no excuse," Schumer said in a statement Tuesday. "The paperwork has arrived and we expect them to do everything they can to return Mr. Kovacevic to the United States so justice can be done."

U.S. and Serbian treaties effectively prevent each nation from extraditing its citizens. However, legal experts say loopholes could be found to allow Kovacevic's return since he fled the U.S. to avoid prosecution.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

---