Amira Medunjanin, Naturalization Fraud, Kentucky 2023

A West Virginia woman who committed torture and war crimes in Bosnia was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for naturalization fraud based on lies about her prior criminal conduct to obtain U.S. citizenship. Amira Medunjanin, 55, of Charleston, West Virginia, was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to court documents, Medunjanin concealed her involvement in torture and war crimes during the Bosnian War on her naturalization application. Her crimes were discovered during an investigation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.

Medunjanin’s naturalization was revoked on September 15, 2022, and she was subsequently charged with making false statements under oath, a felony offense. She pleaded guilty to the charge on July 24, 2023, and was sentenced yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

During the Bosnian War, Medunjanin worked as a medical assistant at a detention center where she witnessed and participated in torture and war crimes. She also made false statements under oath on her naturalization application, claiming she had never been involved in any activities that would make her ineligible for U.S. citizenship.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) praised the collaboration between USCIS and the Diplomatic Security Service in uncovering Medunjanin’s crimes. “This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks in the naturalization process,” said a DOJ spokesperson.

Medunjanin’s sentence marks the culmination of a long and complex investigation. Her crimes are a stark reminder of the importance of honesty in the naturalization process and the consequences of concealing one’s past.

Medunjanin is scheduled to begin serving her sentence on May 1, 2024. The DOJ has not announced any plans to pursue further charges or forfeitures related to the case.

As the investigation into Medunjanin’s crimes continues, the public is reminded of the importance of reporting any suspected naturalization fraud or war crimes to the authorities.

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