A former guard at a notoriously harsh and violent Bosnian jail camp, now dwelling in Massachusetts, was discovered responsible of concealing his persecution of ethnic Serbs throughout the Nineteen Nineties Bosnian Conflict, then mendacity to get refugee standing, and in the end, his U.S. citizenship.
The U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) mentioned 52-year-old Kemal Mrndzic was convicted of partaking in a scheme to hide his involvement on the infamous Čelebići jail camp in Bosnia in 1992; making a false assertion to Homeland Safety brokers about his position on the camp; possessing a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificates and Social Safety card; and utilizing a fraudulently obtained passport and certificates of naturalization. The jury acquitted him of two counts of constructing false statements to Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) particular brokers.
Mrndzic was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2023.
GRAND JURY INDICTS EX-BOSNIAN PRISON CAMP GUARD FOR LYING ABOUT REFUGEE STATUS
Kemal Mrndzi, an ex-guard at a Bosnian jail camp, was discovered responsible by a federal jury of concealing his involvement on the notoriously harsh and violent jail, earlier than gaining refugee standing within the U.S., and in the end, citizenship. (U.S. Division of Justice)
“The heartbreaking testimony of the ÄŒelebići survivors reminded us that the bodily ache and psychological anguish inflicted by Kemal Mrndzic and his fellow guards at that infamous camp nonetheless haunts them 30 years later,” performing U.S. Lawyer Joshua S. Levy mentioned. “Mrndzic hid his crimes for many years, however gravely underestimated the bravery of those victims and legislation enforcement’s dedication to discovering and prosecuting those that interact in wartime persecution.”
Mrndzic was a guard supervisor on the Čelebići jail camp throughout the Bosnian Conflict which spanned from 1992 to 1995.
5 camp survivors testified throughout the two-week trial in regards to the horrific circumstances on the camp.
The survivors spoke about being detained in an unlit and airless tunnel for months, and almost being suffocated after being sealed in manholes for hours at a time. In addition they testified about every day and nightly beatings administered by camp guards, who used a bat, wood poles and different objects to assault the prisoners.
FORMER BOSNIA WARTIME PRISON GUARD WHO SETTLED IN US FACES FEDERAL CHARGES
Kemal Mrndzi, an ex-guard at a Bosnian jail camp, was discovered responsible by a federal jury of concealing his involvement on the notoriously harsh, violent jail, earlier than gaining refugee standing within the U.S., and in the end, citizenship. (U.S. Division of Justice)
The DOJ additionally mentioned survivors testified about murders, the burning of a detainee’s tongue getting burned with a heated knife blade, the wrapping of a prisoner with an extended fuse wire earlier than it was lit on hearth, and sexual abuse, amongst different harrowing acts.
One of many survivors recounted how a 70-year-old prisoner was crushed to demise by jail guards who pinned a army badge on his brow as he was dying.
An investigation carried out by a United Nations tribunal into the crimes dedicated on the jail camp led to the conviction of two prime commanders on the camp and a guard for quite a few crimes, together with homicide and torture.
Mrndzic was questioned by investigators in regards to the case in 1996, although he was not charged.
FORMER BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY COMMANDER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIANS DURING WAR
Mrndzic faces as much as 10 years in jail. (iStock)
Afterward, he fled Bosnia by crossing into Croatia, and utilized as a refugee to the U.S., utilizing a fabricated story, the DOJ mentioned. In his software and interview, Mrndzic lied about fleeing his residence after being captured, interrogated and abused by Serb forces, fearing future persecution if he returned residence.
He was in the end admitted to the U.S. as a refugee in 1999, and have become a U.S. citizen in 2009, and was dwelling north of Boston within the city of Swampscott.
“A jury discovered Mrndzic responsible of mendacity about his previous to return to the U.S. beneath false pretenses, concealing his work as a guard on the infamous ÄŒelebići jail camp, a jail with well-documented circumstances of violence, abuse and even homicide of prisoners throughout the Bosnian Conflict,” Michael J. Krol, Particular Agent in Cost of Homeland Safety Investigations in New England mentioned.
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Though he has been convicted, Mrndzic has not but been sentenced. He faces as much as 10 years in jail and three years of supervised launch, plus a fantastic of $250,000, for fraudulently acquiring a passport and naturalization certificates.
For every of the three remaining costs, he faces as much as 5 years in jail, three years of supervised launch and a fantastic as much as $250,000.
