Almaz Nezirovic, War Crimes Against Civilians, Virginia 2023

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA – Almaz Nezirovic, a 54-year-old former guard at the Rabic camp in Derventa Municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is wanted in Bosnia to stand trial on the charge of War Crimes Against Civilians.

According to the government of Bosnia, Nezirovic allegedly committed abuses against Serb civilians being detained at the camp while serving as a prison guard for the HVO paramilitary group in April and July 1992 during the Bosnian War. Bosnian officials charge that while serving as a prison guard, Nezirovic committed war crimes by beating, humiliating and traumatizing unarmed civilian prisoners, causing severe personal injury.

The United States, on behalf of the government of Bosnia, filed a complaint to extradite Nezirovic in July 2012 pursuant to an extradition treaty between the two countries that has been in place since 1901 and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. After several hearings before United States Magistrate Judge Robert S. Ballou, the court found sufficient evidence to sustain the allegation and certified the extradition request to the Secretary of State.

“Almaz Nezirovic stands charged with horrific acts of torture by the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy. “Today’s ruling moves this matter one step closer to ultimate resolution in that country. Mr. Nezirovic can now be subject to extradition and surrender to his home country, where he will stand trial for these offenses.”

The investigation of the case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and the Office of International Affairs. United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy and Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Wright are prosecuting the case for the United States.

Almaz Nezirovic, 54, of Roanoke, Va., is currently awaiting extradition to Bosnia to stand trial on the charge of War Crimes Against Civilians, allegations that arise out of actions claimed to have occurred between April and July 1992 during the Bosnian War.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/former-bosnian-prison-guard-certified-extradition-bosnia-herzegovina-answer-allegations