A federal grand jury in Idaho returned an indictment against a Boise resident for allegedly concealing a history of violent prisoner abuse in Bosnia to obtain American citizenship.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that 66-year-old Miran Kostic, a national of Bosnia and Herzegovina, faces charges of attempted naturalization fraud and making false statements.
Kostic allegedly served as a high-level official in the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia, where he is accused of personally committing atrocities against detainees.
Court documents claim Kostic pistol-whipped prisoners and beat them with wooden clubs, stakes, and his own fists.
The indictment further alleges that he kicked prisoners until they lost consciousness and forced captives to physically assault one another.
Beyond his personal actions, Kostic reportedly ordered other members of the provincial forces to carry out beatings against those held in custody.
According to the Office of Public Affairs, Kostic failed to disclose these actions and pending war crimes charges during his naturalization interviews and applications.
The defendant allegedly misled both the FBI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding his violent background and legal history abroad.
Legal consequences for these actions are severe, as each charge of attempted naturalization fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
He also faces an additional five years for the charge of making material false statements to federal law enforcement agents.
Reflecting on the importance of the case, Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division emphasized that atrocities will not be ignored.
Duva stated, “Individuals who commit atrocities abroad and lie to immigration authorities to seek safe haven in the United States will be investigated and prosecuted.”
He further noted that the integrity of the naturalization process remains a paramount concern for federal law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis for the District of Idaho expressed pride in the collaborative effort to uphold the nation’s immigration standards.
Davis said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to work with our partners to ensure federal immigration laws are followed and are properly enforced.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller of Homeland Security Investigations in Seattle described citizenship as a privilege requiring honesty.
Miller remarked, “Citizenship is a privilege that must be earned with honesty and integrity.”
She added that her agency remains steadfast in prosecuting those who conceal criminal backgrounds to obtain legal status.
Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division reiterated that attempts to hide violent histories would not be tolerated.
Janke asserted, “Kostic’s attempt to conceal his violent history in order to obtain U.S. citizenship will not be tolerated.”
The investigation involved a broad coalition including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.
International cooperation played a vital role, with the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina providing instrumental assistance.
Federal officials also acknowledged the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals for its help in the case.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about human rights violators living in the U.S. to contact the FBI or HSI through their tip lines.
The U.S. Department of Justice reminded the public that an indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent.
Trial Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Horwitz are leading the prosecution for the federal government.