A Bosnian national with a dark past has been brought to justice in the United States. Miran Kostic, 66, of Boise, Idaho, was indicted last week for attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship by lying about his role in the abuse of prisoners during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to court documents, Kostic was a high-ranking official in the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia (APZB) and was involved in the brutal treatment of prisoners. He allegedly pistol-whipped them, beat them with wooden clubs, stakes, and his fists, and kicked them, causing them to lose consciousness. Kostic also forced prisoners to beat each other and ordered other members of the APZB to do the same.
In his applications to become a U.S. citizen and in interviews with the FBI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Kostic repeatedly lied about the abuse he participated in and ordered, and failed to disclose charges filed against him in Bosnia and Herzegovina for war crimes.
Kostic is charged with attempted naturalization fraud and making material false statements to law enforcement agents. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Idaho on July 24, 2026.
This case highlights the importance of thorough background checks and the consequences of attempting to deceive the U.S. government. Kostic's actions are a stark reminder that those who seek to obtain U.S. citizenship must be truthful about their past and their involvement in any crimes.
The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of where they were committed. This case serves as a warning to anyone who would attempt to deceive the U.S. government and obtain citizenship through false means.
Source: Department of Justice