Spain is soon expected to extradite Veselin ‘Batko’ Vlahovic who is suspected of war crimes committed in Sarajevo.
The extradition to Bosnia and Herzegovina was postponed last week, but Bosnia’s ambassador to Spain told BIRN Justice Report that the process had resumed.
“I spoke to the Spanish judge who told me the extradition process was going to continue,” said Zeljana Zovko.
Zovko explained that the judge agreed to the extradition despite the fact he was sentenced to four years in prison by a Spanish court for robbing a bank.
Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a warrant for Vlahovic in October 2008 on a suspicion that he committed war crimes, including murders, torture and rape against Bosniaks and Croats in Grbavica from 1992 to 1995.
He fled from a prison in Montenegro where he was serving a sentence for banditry and violent behaviour in June 2001, and was arrested in Spain at the beginning of March.
Bosnian prosecutors say they are still awaiting written confirmation of his transfer to the Balkans.
“We have still not received the official decision in writing, but the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and law enforcement agencies have completed the preparations for a successful extradition,” said Boris Grubesic, spokesperson of the State Prosecution.