Jury finds ex-Bosnian prison camp guard guilty for lying about refugee status

A erstwhile defender astatine a notoriously harsh and convulsive Bosnian situation camp, now surviving successful Massachusetts, was recovered blameworthy of concealing his persecution of taste Serbs during nan 1990s Bosnian War, past lying to get exile status, and ultimately, his U.S. citizenship.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said 52-year-old Kemal Mrndzic was convicted of engaging successful a strategy to conceal his engagement astatine nan notorious Čelebići situation campy successful Bosnia successful 1992; making a mendacious connection to Homeland Security agents astir his domiciled astatine nan camp; possessing a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate and Social Security card; and utilizing a fraudulently obtained passport and certificate of naturalization. The assemblage acquitted him of 2 counts of making mendacious statements to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) typical agents.

Mrndzic was indicted by a national expansive assemblage successful June 2023.

GRAND JURY INDICTS EX-BOSNIAN PRISON CAMP GUARD FOR LYING ABOUT REFUGEE STATUS

Kemal Mrndzi, an ex-guard astatine a Bosnian situation camp, was recovered blameworthy by a national assemblage of concealing his engagement astatine nan notoriously harsh and convulsive prison, earlier gaining exile position successful nan U.S., and ultimately, citizenship. (U.S. Department of Justice)

"The heartbreaking grounds of nan Čelebići survivors reminded america that nan beingness symptom and intelligence anguish inflicted by Kemal Mrndzic and his chap guards astatine that notorious campy still haunts them 30 years later," acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said. "Mrndzic concealed his crimes for decades, but gravely underestimated nan bravery of these victims and rule enforcement’s dedication to uncovering and prosecuting those who prosecute successful wartime persecution."

Mrndzic was a defender supervisor astatine nan Čelebići situation campy during nan Bosnian War which spanned from 1992 to 1995.

Five campy survivors testified during nan two-week proceedings astir nan horrific conditions astatine nan camp.

The survivors said astir being detained successful an unlit and airless passageway for months, and astir being suffocated aft being sealed successful manholes for hours astatine a time. They besides testified astir regular and nightly beatings administered by campy guards, who utilized a bat, woody poles and different objects to battle nan prisoners.

FORMER BOSNIA WARTIME PRISON GUARD WHO SETTLED IN US FACES FEDERAL CHARGES

Kemal Mrndzi, an ex-guard astatine a Bosnian situation camp, was recovered blameworthy by a national assemblage of concealing his engagement astatine nan notoriously harsh, convulsive prison, earlier gaining exile position successful nan U.S., and ultimately, citizenship. (U.S. Department of Justice)

The DOJ besides said survivors testified astir murders, nan burning of a detainee’s lingua getting burned pinch a heated weapon blade, nan wrapping of a captive pinch a agelong fuse cord earlier it was lit connected fire, and intersexual abuse, among different harrowing acts.

One of nan survivors recounted really a 70-year-old captive was beaten to decease by situation guards who pinned a subject badge connected his forehead arsenic he was dying.

An investigation conducted by a United Nations tribunal into nan crimes committed astatine nan prison campy led to nan condemnation of 2 apical commanders astatine nan campy and a defender for galore crimes, including execution and torture.

Mrndzic was questioned by investigators astir nan lawsuit successful 1996, though he was not charged.

FORMER BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY COMMANDER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRIMES AGAINST CIVILIANS DURING WAR

Mrndzic faces up to 10 years successful prison. (iStock)

Afterward, he fled Bosnia by crossing into Croatia, and applied arsenic a exile to nan U.S., utilizing a fabricated story, nan DOJ said. In his exertion and interview, Mrndzic lied astir fleeing his location aft being captured, interrogated and abused by Serb forces, fearing early persecution if he returned home.

He was yet admitted to nan U.S. arsenic a exile successful 1999, and became a U.S. national successful 2009, and was surviving northbound of Boston successful nan municipality of Swampscott.

"A assemblage recovered Mrndzic blameworthy of lying astir his past to travel to nan U.S. nether mendacious pretenses, concealing his activity arsenic a defender astatine nan notorious Čelebići situation camp, a situation pinch well-documented cases of violence, maltreatment and moreover execution of prisoners during nan Bosnian War," Michael J. Krol, Special Agent successful Charge of Homeland Security Investigations successful New England said.

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Although he has been convicted, Mrndzic has not yet been sentenced. He faces up to 10 years successful situation and 3 years of supervised release, positive a good of $250,000, for fraudulently obtaining a passport and naturalization certificate.

For each of nan 3 remaining charges, he faces up to 5 years successful prison, 3 years of supervised merchandise and a good up to $250,000.