SARAJEVO, March 26 (Hina) - A former Bosnian foreign minister, Muhamed Sacirbegovic, was arrested in New York on Tuesday on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued against him on suspicion of embezzlement of several
million dollars, Sarajevo media reported Wednesday.
SARAJEVO, March 26 (Hina) - A former Bosnian foreign minister,
Muhamed Sacirbegovic, was arrested in New York on Tuesday on the
basis of an international arrest warrant issued against him on
suspicion of embezzlement of several million dollars, Sarajevo
media reported Wednesday. #L#
Sacirbegovic is suspected of having embezzled USD2.5 million when
he was Bosnia's Ambassador to the United Nations. Justice
authorities have for years tried to bring him before a Sarajevo
court in which an investigation against him was started.
According to the media, Sacirbegovic was arrested in his house in
State Island. American authorities have announced they would keep
him in custody until they receive a request from Bosnia for his
extradition.
The media also report that he will not be allowed to be freed on bail
before extradition.
During almost of the entire war in Bosnia, Sacirbegovic was head of
Bosnia's mission to the U.N. thanks to close connections between
his father and former Bosnian president Alija Izetbegovic. From
1996 through 1998 he performed the duty of foreign minister.
According to an investigation conducted by Bosnian authorities,
Sacirbegovic had made a personal gain of USD600,000 of the total 2.5
million which he had allegedly embezzled from accounts of his
country's mission at the U.N. which he managed during his
diplomatic carrier.
He is presumed to have spent a significant part of the amount in
settling his gambling debts.
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