SERBIAN ASSEMBLY PASSES
AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON FIGHTING ORGANIZED CRIME
Tanjug - April 11, 2003
Belgrade, 11 April: The Serbian parliament adopted Friday 11 April evening by a
majority of votes amendments to the law on the organization and prerogatives of
state institutions in fighting organized crime.
The amendments confer greater powers to relevant state institutions, above all
the police, in fighting organized crime, and some provisions regard coordination
with the UN Convention against transnational organized crime. Organized crime is
defined as criminal acts committed by organized criminal gangs or other
organized groups, which entail prison sentences of at least four years.
In order to gather information and evidence on organized crime, the amendments
envisage preventive custody of up to 24 hours without a court order, and the
establishment of a special detention unit for police detention which can last
several months.
By orders of the special or public prosecutor, a person can be kept in the
special detention unit for a supplementary 30 days if it is assessed that the
person in question could hinder proceedings against organized crime.
A person suspected of committing a crime coming under the definition of
organized crime can be kept in police detention for 30 days, and the relevant
minister can extend this period by another 30 days.
Source: Tanjug news agency, Belgrade, in English 1824 gmt 11 Apr 03
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