Spanish ambassador decorates Serbian police officers, prosecutors

BELGRADE - Spanish Ambassador to Belgrade Juan Jose Sanz Aparicio on Thursday presented Spanish Civil Guard medals to Serbian police officers and prosecutors who have participated in a major anti-crime operation alongside their Spanish colleagues.

In late June, Operation Mitikas resulted in the arrests of 43 members of an organised crime group and a seizure of large quantities of illegal drugs.

At a ceremony also attended by Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic and Supreme Public Prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac, the medals were presented to six officers of the Serbian Criminal Police Directorate, an Interior Ministry liaison officer in Madrid and two prosecutors, the ministry said in a statement.

"The action was carried out in late June, resulting in the arrests of 43 members of an organised crime group in Serbia and Spain, where 1.5 t of marijuana and other drugs and a large amount of money were seized, along with luxury cars and watches," Dacic said, highlighting the significance of the establishment of a Serbia-Spain investigative team.

It was the first time Spain established such a team with a non-EU country, Dacic said.

He said Serbian Ambassador to Madrid Irena Sarac would also award Serbian honours to Spanish police officers and prosecutors.