Publishing of the verdict announced for 21 January, after two years of ordeal will mark the end of troubles that my family and me have passed through, says leader of the Civic Initiative SDP, Olvier Ivanovic, in an interview to Novosti.

Ivanovic, who is standing a trial for committing war crimes during 1999-2000 in Kosovo, is placed under the house arrest as of 21 September. He believes that despite numerous illogical developments during the trial, a court panel will bring unbiased decision based on justice and facts. “I deeply believe that my case was meant to serve as a cover for certain open affairs and failures of the mission,” said Ivanovic and added that he believes that his case should also serve as an example for others. He further explained that after several cases where Albanians were indicted there was a need to make certain ethnic balance. They needed an arrest which they could portray as an unbiased approach, said Ivanovic.

He further said that any Serb in Kosovo could end up in situation like his, because indictment, which is difficult to prove, could be raised against anyone, but the person would spend a year in prison while prosecution collects evidence. “This is not legal certainty that we hoped for and that is not Europe’s assistance we expected,” said Ivnaovic and added that courts in Kosovo are subjected to political influence, whereas distrust based on ethnic affiliations is deep. “That’s why we need Eulex, but not this one,” concluded Ivanovic.