Architect of post-war justice: Key ICTY investigator Kevin Curtis dies suddenly in Rijeka

Curtis joined the ICTY in 1995. When Serbian authorities decided to extradite Slobodan Milosevic, Curtis was the individual who took custody of the former president in Belgrade. He was tasked with ensuring Milosevic’s secure transport via helicopter and plane all the way to his holding cell in Scheveningen.

Recalling the high-stakes operation, Curtis previously shared details of their encounter. "Milosevic arrived and seemed completely surprised, as if he didn't believe what was happening to him. He told me I had no jurisdiction over him, and I replied that we would see about that in The Hague."

The investigator insisted on protocol despite Milosevic’s protests. "He didn’t want to speak English, and everything had to be translated. I searched him thoroughly, including his oral cavity and everything. He asked why I was doing this, given that he was coming from a prison. I told him 'you are my prisoner now, and I will search you.' He didn't like it much. After that, we sat in the helicopter, and all three took off at the same time," Curtis recounted.

He added a surprising detail: once they were seated in the helicopter, Milosevic began speaking in fluent English. Curtis also shared an anecdote about a cigarette. "I told him there was no smoking in the helicopter, and he replied it was his helicopter and he could smoke. I indulged him. He didn't have a cigarette, so he lit mine," he said.

Kevin Curtis will be laid to rest this Friday at Zagreb’s Mirogoj cemetery. The family has requested that, instead of wreaths at the final send-off, donations be made to the Rijeka Society for the Protection of Animals or the Rijeka – Viskovo Shelter for Abandoned Dogs.