Sakib Mahmuljin

Bosnia Seeks Wartime Army Commander’s Extradition from Turkey

The Bosnian state court told BIRN that it has written to the Turkish authorities seeking the extradition of Sakib Mahmuljin, who was jailed for eight years for failing to stop Middle Eastern volunteer fighters mistreating and murdering captured Serb soldiers, medical staff and civilians, but failed to appear to start serving his sentence.

War Criminal’s Escape Outrages Bosnian Serb Victims Associations

Sakib Mahmuljin, the former commander of the Third Corps of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ABiH, was sentenced by the Appeal Chamber of the State Court in April to eight years in prison for crimes committed in 1995 in Vozuca and Zavidovici.

But he is not serving his jail sentence and is instead undergoing medical treatment in Turkey, his lawyer confirmed to BIRN. 

Court Urged to Jail Bosnian Army Ex-Commander for 20 Years

The prosecution urged the Bosnian state court in Sarajevo on Tuesday to increase the sentence handed down to Sakib Mahmuljin from ten to 20 years for failing to prevent murders and inhumane acts by members of the Bosnian Army's El Mujahideen unit in the Vozuca and Zavidovici areas during the war.

Bosnian Army Ex-Commander Convicted of War Crimes

The Bosnian state court found former Bosnian Army Third Corps commander Sakib Mahmuljin guilty on Friday of failing to prevent murders and inhumane acts by members of the El Mujahideen unit in Vozuca and Zavidovici areas during the Bosnian war.

"In his capacity as commander he failed to prevent the commission of inhumane acts," said presiding judge Zoran Bozic.

Bosnian Army Commander Honoured Despite War Crimes Charges

Sakib Mahmuljin (left) receives the award from Zenica-Doboj Canton premier Mirza Ganic. Photo: Zenica-Doboj Canton government.

Bruce Berton, head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, said on Friday that the Zenica-Doboj Canton's decision to honour war crimes defendant Sakib Mahmuljin shows disrespect for the victims.

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