U.S.A. FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS NATURAL CITIZEN TO BE TRIED FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINIA WAR CRIMES

U.S.A. FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS NATURAL CITIZEN TO BE TRIED FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINIA WAR CRIMES

July 29, 2013

Courthouse News Service

BURLINGTON, Vt. (CN) - A naturalized citizen was arrested Friday in Vermont on charges that he got citizenship by concealing the crimes and persecution he committed during the Bosnian wars, federal prosecutors said in a criminal indictment.

Edin Sakoè, 54, of Burlington defrauded the United States by concealing his persecution of Bosnian Serbe during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Sakoè is accused of kidnapping and raping a Bosnian Serb woman in July 1992 and aiding and abetting the murder of her elderly mother and aunt, prosecutors said, citing the indictment.

Sakoè also is charged with aiding and abetting the burning of the victims' home, and failing to disclose his part in all this during his immigration and naturalization process.

If convicted, he will lose his U.S. citizenship and could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and deportation. The FBI was assisted in its investigation by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Information about human rights violators in the United States may contact the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section at hrsptips@usdoj.gov or call 1-800-813-5863.