Commander of "Zulfikar" Squad Arrested

Zulfikar Alispago, former commander of the "Zulfikar" squad, has been arrested on a warrant issued by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is suspected to have participated in crimes against Croats in the village of Trusina during the Bosnian war.

The State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, today arrested Alispago, former commander of the special purposes squad "Zulfikar" within the Supreme Command Staff of the Army of RBiH. He was arrested because the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina "has collected sufficient evidence proving he is responsible for the committed crimes".

Alispago is suspected of participation in crimes against civilians and war crimes against prisoners of war.  

Data available to the prosecution suggests that an attack was conducted in the village of Trusina, near Konjic, on April 16, 1993. In the attack 19 civilians were reportedly killed and four, including two children, were wounded. Three members of the Croatian Defence Council, HVO, were also killed.

"As a superior officer who had actual and effective control over the Special Squad members, Alispago failed to take necessary and reasonable measures to punish the perpetrators, although he was aware of the crimes," read a statement by the Prosecutor's Office.

The prosecution will question Alispago and make a decision on the eventual filing of a motion to order custody.

Under a warrant issued by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nihad Bojadzic, Nedzad Hodzic, Mensur Memic, Dzevad Salcin, Jusuf Hadzajlija and Senad Hakalovic were arrested in 2009 on suspicion that they participated in this crime.

The suspects were members of the "Zulfikar" squad and the "Neretvica" 45th Mountain Brigade of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bojadzic was Alispago's deputy and Hadzajlija was the assistant commander for security of the "Neretvica" Brigade.

Prosecutor Vesna Budimir said at the custody extension order hearing held in mid-December 2009 that an investigation against 13 individuals was being conducted for the crime committed in Trusina, adding that "two Bosnian citizens should be extradited from the United States."

Media reports suggest that Rasema Handanovic, known as Zolja, and Edin Dzeko, former members of the "Zulfikar" squad, have been arrested in the US.