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War Criminal’s U.S. Citizenship Revoked
Edin Dzeko, a 46-year-old native of the former Yugoslavia, had his naturalized U.S. citizenship revoked by a federal court for his involvement in the Trusina massacre, a war crime that left 22 unarmed individuals dead. Dzeko, a member of an elite unit of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, participated in the April 1993 attack on the village of Trusina, targeting Bosnian Croats due to their Christian religion and Croat ethnicity.
A Bosnian court previously found Dzeko guilty of war crimes against prisoners of war and civilians, holding him responsible for eight killings, including six executions by firing squad. Despite his conviction, Dzeko was admitted to the United States as a refugee and later naturalized in 2006. His U.S. citizenship was revoked on August 15, 2023, following a court order that deemed his naturalization process fraudulent.
“War criminals are not entitled to safe haven in the United States, and we will not allow individuals who commit such atrocities to take advantage of our immigration system,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler. “This case sends the message that the Department will remain resolute in our commitment to prosecute those who seek to gain, or have gained, U.S. citizenship unlawfully.”
The Trusina massacre, which occurred in April 1993, resulted in the deaths of 22 unarmed individuals, including women and the elderly. Dzeko, who was part of a firing squad that executed six prisoners of war and civilians, is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The U.S. government is also pursuing the denaturalization of Sammy Rasema Yetisen, Dzeko’s fellow soldier and another perpetrator of the Trusina massacre.
“Those who commit such acts of inhumanity and abuse may not use lies and deceit to fraudulently call this country home,” said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle. “Today’s announcement marks the necessary carriage of justice, and I am proud of the professional investigators who upheld the law and order that defines our nation.”
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations Human Rights Violator and War Crimes Unit and the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation, District Court Section (OIL-DCS) National Security and Affirmative Litigation Unit (NS/A Unit). The case was jointly prosecuted by Deputy Chief Timothy Belsan and Senior Counsel for National Security Aram Gavoor of OIL-DCS’s NS/A Unit and Trial Attorney Steven Platt of OIL-DCS, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Wynne Kelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals or naturalized U.S. citizens suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are encouraged to call the ICE tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or to complete its online tip form; or the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section at 1-202-616-2492. Callers may remain anonymous.
Key Facts
- State: District of Columbia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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