Mirza G. may be extradited to Bosnia: 'Insufficient proof that he will receive an unfair trial', court says

The extradition of the Bosnian Mirza G. is admissible according to the court in Breda. Mirza G., who fled to the Netherlands in the 1990s and was granted asylum here, states that his life will not be safe if he is extradited to his country of birth. Mirza G., who was convicted of money laundering in the Netherlands, is suspected of criminal arms and drug trafficking in Bosnia.

Mirza G.'s fears arise from a conflict with his cousin Edin G., who was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Rotterdam court at the end of last year for large-scale trafficking in cocaine and raw materials for the production of synthetic drugs. According to Mirza, his cousin Edin wants to have him killed.

In his opposition to extradition, Mirza G. pointed to reports in the Bosnian media about corruption and cronyism in Bosnia. One of the people alleged to be guilty of this is Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic.

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'Flagrant violation'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina denies the accusations of ties with Edin G. and corruption against Minister Konakovic, which Mirza G. and his lawyer refer to. “We emphatically reject accusations in the media against the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” the Bosnian ambassador to the Netherlands said.

Because of this corruption, Mirza G. would not be safe in his life in Bosnia. Lawyer Louis de Leon argues that this constitutes a threatening violation of human rights. That is a ground on the basis of which the minister can decide not to extradite a suspect. Although the court understands Mirza G.'s questions, it considers that there is “insufficient factual substantiation that an extradition of Mirza G. would lead to a flagrant violation of the right to a fair trial.”

Mirza G.'s lawyer has announced that his client will challenge the court's decision.

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