Justice Minister in Bosnia and Herzegovina rejects request for Mamić’s extradition

The Justice Minister in Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Grubeša (HDZ BiH) has signed a decision that definitely rejects the possibility for Zdravko Mamić’s extradition to Croatia.

The news was confirmed for local media by Josip Grubeša’s Assistant for International Cooperation Nikola Sladoje.  

“The decision was adopted on the basis of article 45, paragraph 3 of the Law on International Legal Assistance in Criminal Cases, in accordance with which the Justice Minister in Bosnia and Herzegovina rejects the request for extradition if the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina finds that all conditions for extradition have not been met,” cited the Klix portal quoting Sladoje.

An international warrant for Zdravko Mamić was issued by the Osijek County Court, which sentenced him to six years in prison after he was found guilty in a first instance ruling, of syphoning money from the Dinamo football club. Ahead of the sentencing in June 2018, Mamić fled to Bosnia and Herzegovina and settled in Međugorje where he currently resides. He was then apprehended by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina which also rejected Croatia’s request because it found that Mamić is a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that the crime he was convicted of in Croatia was committed before an agreement on extradition was signed between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and thus cannot be applied in this case.

As in Croatia, the final decision on extradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina is adopted by the Justice Minister.

Mamić has rejected all possibilities of returning to Croatia and claims that he is the victim of a “staged process.” He stated earlier that he is convinced the Croatian Supreme Court will acquit him of charges during the appeal process.

Source: HRT