Vlahovic Arrival Pending

Veselin ‘Batko’ Vlahovic, who is suspected of war crimes in Grbavica in Sarajevo, is expected to be extradited to Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 26.

“Vlahovic is expected to arrive to Sarajevo under the strictest security measures in the evening hours. In this way we have put an end to the political and legal struggle for his extradition which has lasted for several months,” said an announcement from Zeljko Komsic, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
Neither the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina nor the international airport in Sarajevo was able to give BIRN Justice Report the precise time of Vlahovic’s arrival.  
 
“Veselin Vlahovic will be extradited within the next 48 hours,” said Boris Grubesic, the spokesperson for the State Prosecution.
 
Vlahovic is suspected of participating in crimes against Bosniaks and Croats in Grbavica from 1992 to 1995, including murder, torture and rape.
 
A warrant was issued in October 2008, and he was arrested in Spain at the beginning of March. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro both filed requests for his extradition. He fled from a prison in Montenegro in June 2001 where he was serving a sentence for banditry and violent behaviour.

A.A.