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Veselin "Batko" Vlahovic Arrested in Spain

Veselin Vlahović Batko

03 March 2010  The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina issues a warrant ordering the initiation of extradition proceedings concerning Veselin Vlahovic, known as Batko, believed by the judicial authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have committed crimes in Grbavica settlement in Sarajevo.

After having received official confirmation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Spain that Veselin Vlahovic, known as Batko, has been arrested in Alicante, Zeljko Komsic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, issued a warrant to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Madrid to undertake "all measures and preparatory activities necessary for starting extradition proceedings".

The announcement issued by the Bosnian Presidency says that, on March 3, 2010 the State Prosecution will submit to the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina a request for Vlahovic's extradition. It further says it is necessary for all competent authorities to "urgently undertake measures and activities" in order to have him extradited as soon as possible.  

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina is still waiting for official confirmation of Vlahovic's arrest.

"We are waiting for confirmation from the Spanish authorities. The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina had earlier asked for the issuance of a warrant against him," Boris Grubesic, Spokesperson of the State Prosecution, said.

Vlahovic is suspected of having participated, from 1992 to 1995, in war crimes against civilians in Grbavica settlement in Sarajevo. At the request of the Prosecution a a warrant was issued in October 2008.

The State Prosecution suspects that he committed "54 criminal legal actions" against Bosniak and Croat civilians in Grbavica, including murder, torture, forcible disappearances and rape.

Media reports suggest that Vlahovic was arrested in Altea town, near the house in which he lived. He allegedly offered resistance during the arrest. Media have reported that he had false Bulgarian documents with him at the time of his arrest.

The Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs has information that Vlahovic previously used false names, such as Krunoslav Godec, Mijodrag Petrovic and Jan Depiq.

In June 2001 Vlahovic escaped from prison in Montenegro, where he was serving a sentence for banditry and violent behaviour. The judicial institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina had requested his extradition on several occasions, but the requests were rejected because the country's constitution does not allow extradition of its citizens.

Judicial institutions of Montenegro allegedly opened an investigation against him on suspicion that he participated in crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. An Interpol warrant was issued against him for robbery and "crimes against life and health".