Contact:
Maggie Schmerin
202.274.4768
mschmerin@hellermanbaretz.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Federal Prosecutors Drop Charges Against AzulaySeiden Client Goran Pavic

Detroit (December 12 , 2007) — AzulaySeiden Law Group, the largest immigration law firm in Chicago, today announced that the United States Federal Government has dismissed charges against Goran Pavic, a Canadian citizen who was detained last month as a suspected Croatian war criminal. Mr. Pavic, a truck driver who travels across the U.S. border for work, was arrested last month at the Ambassador Bridge after U.S. Border Police found his name on a list of international arrest warrants issued by Interpol. He was subsequently detained for alleged war crimes that included arson and beatings in his native Croatia in the early 1990s.

As counsel to Mr. Pavic, AzulaySeiden Member Linda Babich filed a motion challenging the federal court’s jurisdiction to hear the case and extradite Mr. Pavic to Croatia. Ms. Babich argued that the court did not have jurisdiction for several reasons, and ultimately, the Government moved to dismiss the complaint because the statute of limitations for the charges against Mr. Pavic had expired. The treaty under which the Croatian government sought extradition stated the statute of limitations should be in accordance with the country in which the defendant is arrested; in this case, the United States.

“I commend the Government for its efforts in conducting due diligence necessary and ultimately dismissing this case,” said Ms. Babich. “This case is an example that the methodical processes of our justice system truly work. I could not be more pleased with the outcome and that Mr. Pavic’s name has been cleared.”

Mr. Pavic, who immigrated to Canada from Croatia in 1997 with his wife and four children, is set to be released from prison today.

Ms. Babich is available to discuss the Court’s dismissal in more detail and can be reached directly at (312) 832-9200 x223 or lbabich@azulayseiden.com.

AzulaySeiden Law Group (www.azulayseiden.com) is Chicago’s largest immigration law firm and is among the largest immigration firms in the country. The firm provides U.S. immigration legal services for businesses and individuals (including visa petitions, green card services, consular assistance, naturalization proceedings, immigration representation in all U.S. Courts, and appellate work), immigration consulting to businesses, as well as immigration related legal services (e.g. family law, criminal law). Its main office is located at 205 N. Michigan Ave., 40th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601.