Channels

Memorial for massacre's victims
Photo: Reuters
Ne'eman. Ordered extradition process
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Israel arrests Bosnia genocide suspect

Aleksandar Cvetković, who immigrated to Jewish state about five years ago, suspected of taking part in 1995 Srebrenica massacre, which left more than 1,000 of Muslims dead. State Prosecutor's Office asks court to extradite him to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aleksandar Cvetković, who is suspected of taking part in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in eastern Bosnia, which left more than 1,000 Muslims, was arrested Tuesday by Israel's National Unit for the Investigation of Serious and International Crime.

 

Cvetković, 43, immigrated to Israel with his wife and children in 2006 and was granted an Israeli citizenship for being married to a Jew.

 

The international department at the State Prosecutor's Office appealed the Jerusalem District Court immediately after the arrest, asking that the suspect be declared extraditable, as he is wanted for genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

The state also asked that Cvetković remain in custody until a decision is made on the extradition process.


More than 1,000 people murdered (Photo: AP)

 

The Srebrenica massacre and other acts committed by the Bosnia and Serbian forces against the Muslim population have been recognized by the international community as "genocide".

 

The Bosnia and Herzegovina government appealed to the State Prosecutor's Office in August, asking that Israel extradite Cvetković for his involvement in genocide. After carefully examining the material received from the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman decided to begin the extradition process.

 

The evidence handed to the international department, which serves as a basis for the petition filed with the court, reveals the shocking details of the massacre which took place at the Braniewo farm in July 1995.

 

Hundreds of handcuffed and blindfolded Bosnian residents were led into the farm in an operation which took about 10 hours. When they got off the buses, the detainees were greeted by firing squads.

 

According to the information received from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cvetković took an active part in the murder and was among the eight soldier who served as a firing squad.

 

The State Prosecutor's Office told the court that there were many testimonies and evidence linking Cvetković to the farm massacre. The appeal states that should he be convicted and sentenced to a prison sentence, he would not be entitled to serve his sentence in Israel as he was not an Israeli citizen or residents when the crimes were committed.

 

The State Prosecutor's Office said that "the extradition request if part of an international legal campaign aimed at investigating and prosecuting the masterminds, planners and executors of the genocide."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.18.11, 11:12
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment