FEDERATION INTERIOR MINISTRY ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR FIKRET ABDIC

SARAJEVO, Jan 10 (Hina) - The Interior Ministry of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina has issued an arrest warrant for a former member of the BH Presidency, Fikret Abdic. The ministry also requested the Croatian Interior Ministry to cooperate with the aim of handing over Abdic to BH authorities as soon as possible. The Federation police also sent a request to the Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant for Abdic, Radio BiH reported today, quoting a statement issued by the Federation Interior Ministry. The Federation Ministry explained its decision with the fact that, in line with a decision by The Hague war crimes tribunal and a competent Bosnian court, Abdic is suspected of serious violations of international humanitarian law, inhumane treatment of civilians and POWs and forcible mobilisation. According to the statement, Federation Interior Minister Mehmed Zilic has requested help from the Republic of Croatia in a letter sent to Croatian Interior Minister Ivan Penic. Zilic requested Croatian police, which is a full and prominent member of the Interpol, to take action with the aim of handing over Abdic, thus securing conditions for his extradition to the Bosnian judicial bodies, the statement said. (hina) rml