European Police Chiefs Gather at Interpol Meeting

Police directors from all over Europe gathered in Budva, Montenegro, for the three-day regional conference.

The need for a global approach to policing in Europe was stressed, and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who opened the event, noted that: “This puts an additional emphasis on the importance of being a member, and taking an active part in the work of INTERPOL, which due to its unique structure, operational services and databases, effectively co-ordinates international police co-operation in preventing and suppressing crime.”

According to Interpol's press release, INTERPOL president Khoo Boon Hui pointed to the Pink Panther operation as an example of effective anti-crime initiative.

Several days ago, Interpol confirmed the arrest of Montenegrin national Radovan Jelusic, who is believed to be a key figure in the notorious gang of jewel thieves called the Pink Panthers.

Jelusic, who is the main suspect in the robbery of the Ginza jewelry in Tokyo in 2007, was arrested last week in Rome by agents of the Italian police. He was reportedly carrying a fake Croatian passport.

In relation to the case the Serbian prosecution convicted three Serbian nationals last year.

Several weeks ago, another suspected gang member, Bojan Vucevic, was arrested on the border of Serbia and Montenengro while a suspected gang member from Karlovac, Croatia, is still wanted by Interpol.

Items set to be discussed at the regional gathering include INTERPOL's cooperation with regional policing bodies, its work with European Union bodies, and the issue of borderless crimes and crimes carried out using new technologies.