Bosnian man sentenced in US for being prison camp supervisor during war

Mrndzic, a former supervisor at the notorious Celebici prison camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was convicted in October 2024 of multiple charges, including participating in the persecution of Serb prisoners, lying to federal agents about his role at the camp, and fraudulently obtaining US naturalization documents.

“For over two decades, Mrndzic evaded accountability for his crimes,” said US Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This sentence reinforces our commitment to identifying and prosecuting war criminals who attempt to find refuge in the United States. His US citizenship will also be revoked.”

Grim Legacy of Celebici Camp

During the Bosnian War in the 1990s, Mrndzic oversaw the brutal treatment of detainees at Celebici, where prisoners were subjected to starvation, torture, and inhumane conditions. Survivors testified about harrowing abuses, including beatings, murder, and sexual violence. One survivor described the beating death of a 70-year-old man, while others recounted being confined in lightless, airless spaces and enduring daily violence.

A United Nations tribunal previously convicted top commanders of the camp, but Mrndzic escaped international prosecution. He fled Bosnia in the late 1990s, fabricating a refugee story to enter the US and gain citizenship by falsely claiming persecution by Serb forces.

Role of Survivors in Justice

Many survivors of Celebici, now US citizens, played a crucial role in bringing Mrndzic to justice, offering testimony and victim impact statements during the trial. Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, praised their bravery, stating, “Through their testimony, the truth was finally brought to light after more than 30 years.”

Mrndzic’s conviction marks a significant step in holding war criminals accountable and preventing the U.S. from becoming a safe haven for perpetrators of human rights abuses, the US Attorney's Office said.