Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Bosnian former Vice President Ejup Ganic
Bosnia

Ex-Bosnian leader's extradition request denied

Britain has refused a request to deport Ejup Ganic to Serbia to be tried for war crimes.

A LONDON JUDGE has blocked an extradition request for Ejup Ganic, a Bosnian ex-president and military leader, who Serbia wishes to pursue for war crimes.

The British court ruled that any trial against Ganic would be politically motivated.

Ganic is wanted in Serbia as authorities there believe that he ordered attacks on a medical convoy and is responsible for the execution of surrendered soldiers during the Bosnian war.

However, there have been two previous trials on the accusations. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia threw the case out; the second, commissioned by the prosecutor’s office for the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina, similarly ruled that the case was politically motivated.

Following the ruling Ganic said to reporters that the case was “a textbook example of abuse.”

He added that: “The government of Serbia tried to undermine the judiciary in this country, they used taxpayers’ money and they kept me here for five months.”

The Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office said that they would appeal the ruling.

Ganic’s daughter, Emina Ganic, speaks to Al Jazeera to defend her father prior to the hearing: