Azem Gigo Zebic, Passport Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

A Boston man was sentenced in federal court for fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport and using it to enter the United States.

Azem Gigo Zebic, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper to 18 months of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $2000 fine.

Zebic was admitted to the United States from Croatia in 1997 after falsely claiming that he had been the subject of persecution by Serb forces during the Bosnian War.

He falsely claimed, among other things, that Serb forces had captured, interrogated, beaten him and forced him to pull wounded soldiers from the front lines.

Zebic testified at his accomplice Kemal Mrndzic’s trial, where he was convicted of a 25-year scheme to conceal his persecution of Serb prisoners at the notorious Celebici prison camp.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy announced the sentencing, stating that the case was investigated with the assistance of various law enforcement agencies.

The case against Zebic highlights the importance of verifying the identities of individuals seeking U.S. citizenship.

Zebic’s U.S. passport will be surrendered to the government as part of his sentence.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, and other agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Jason A. Casey prosecuted the case.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/respondent – Azem Gigo Zebic; Exact criminal charges – Use of a fraudulently obtained passport; City and state – Winthrop, Massachusetts; Exact date – June 2023; Sentence or outcome – 18 months of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $2000 fine; Dollar amounts – $2000 fine.