Bosnian War Crime Suspect Indicted for US Citizenship Fraud
A Boise man is charged with lying about his role in prisoner abuse during the Bosnian war to obtain U.S. Citizenship, following an investigation aided by USCIS.
A 66-year-old Boise man has been indicted for lying about his past as an accused war criminal to fraudulently obtain U.S. Citizenship. Miran Kostic is charged with attempted naturalization fraud and making material false statements to federal agents, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided vital assistance to the investigation. The case highlights the agency's role in detecting fraud and collaborating with law enforcement to pursue individuals who conceal severe human rights violations in their immigration applications.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
Court documents allege Kostic was a high-level official in the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia during the Bosnian war. In that role, he is accused of personally abusing prisoners. The indictment states he pistol-whipped detainees, beat them with wooden clubs and stakes, and kicked them until they lost consciousness. He also allegedly forced prisoners to beat each other and ordered other members of the paramilitary group to carry out assaults.
Prosecutors say Kostic repeatedly lied about this abuse in his application for U.S. Citizenship and in subsequent interviews with the FBI and USCIS. He also failed to disclose that war crime charges had been filed against him in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Charges and Potential Penalties
The federal indictment carries significant potential prison time. Kostic faces two specific charges.
| Charge | Maximum Prison Sentence |
|---|---|
| Attempted Naturalization Fraud | Up to 10 years |
| Making Material False Statements | Up to 5 years |
A conviction on both counts could result in a lengthy federal prison sentence. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Idaho.
Multi-Agency Investigation
The investigation was a coordinated international effort. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI led the probe. They worked in concert with the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center and the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate within USCIS.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs secured evidence for the prosecution. Authorities credited the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals for providing instrumental assistance.
Reporting Violators and Fraud
Federal agencies are urging the public to come forward with information. The announcement included contact details for reporting suspected human rights violators living in the United States or immigration benefit fraud.
Tips can be submitted to the FBI by phone or through its online tip form. Homeland Security Investigations can also be contacted directly. To report suspected immigration benefit fraud specifically to USCIS, individuals should use the dedicated USCIS Tip Form. The case against Kostic demonstrates the potential outcomes of such tip-led investigations.
