EU warns Serbia over war criminal lecturing at academy
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The European Union has warned member candidate Serbia that appointing a general who was convicted for war crimes as a lecturer at the country's military academy goes against the EU's principles.
Retired Gen. Vladimir Lazarevic was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a U.N. war crimes tribunal for atrocities committed by Serb troops in Kosovo during the 1998-99 war. He was released in 2015.
EU spokeswoman Maja Koncijancic said in a statement Monday to The Associated Press that "political leaders have to lead all efforts in overcoming the difficult legacy of the past and constructively foster mutual trust, dialogue and tolerance."
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She says "Serbia, as (an EU) candidate country, cannot deviate from these principles. The appointment of a convicted war criminal to the Serbian Military Academy goes exactly against these principles."